Not just a starter fish

Inga

Well, it made me sad to read an article about cycling a tank and that people purchase "starter fish" or disposable fish to initially cycle their tanks. Here is one of my little Tiger Barbs. I already love these little guys and do not think of them as starter fish. I am watching my water levels very close and will be doing all I can to make these little guys healthy and happy.

I don't know if it is that they are common or what the deal is that Tiger Barbs are used as starter fish but I think they are pretty little fish. So far, they are very active and curious. They have been keeping my dogs and I quite entertained.

Now I need to get a background for my tank so taking pictures will be easier. Anyhow, here is one of my Tiger Barbs. I am working on more pictures where I can catch the 3 of them in one shot. It seems 2 of them want to hang out and leave the third guy out.

jeaninel

I love my Tiger barbs and find them very entertaining. Every time I come into the room they all rush to the front of the tank begging for food. When I do water changes they are right there nipping at my arm and at the syphon tube. In the evening after their supper they have tiger races, racing back and forth the full length of my 4 ft tank. I find them absolutely adorable. But they are not for eveyone and one has to be careful what tank mates they put them with as they are known for nipping and can be slightly aggressive among themselves also. I have mine with a female Salvini and a Green Texas cichlid and so far everyone is doing great together. Are you planning on getting more once your tank cycles? They do best in larger groups which helps to keep aggression down among themselves.

Great pic by the way. I love the effects you've added.

Inga

Yes jeaninel, I was thinking of getting at least 2 more. I didn't want to put to many in the tank at one time. I just added a whole bunch of filter media from the aquarium store. (very healthy looking tank) so hopefully that will rush the cycle process a bit. It was difficult for me to add that filth to my pristine tank though. ha ha

The filter is doing a great job though, the water is clearing nicely. I also bought a few more silk plants for them to hide in and they are already swimming relays through them.

Do you have pictures of your Texas Cichlid? Someone else was suggesting one of them to me as well. I have not seen any around here but I wasn't looking specifically for them.

jeaninel

I have a Hericthys Carpintis which is commonly called a Green Texas. There is also the regular Texas cichlids which is Hericthys Cyanoguttatus. I call him Dozer because when he was in my QT tank he would push the gravel around until there was a big pit all the way down to the bottom glass. Texas cichlids can be very mean and aggressive but mine so far is just a big wuss. Right now he's about 6" or so. Here's a pic of him when he was in the QT tank.

Inga

Very handsome fish! :) It probably sounds weird but I really like the fat lips on the Texas Cichlids and some of the other Cichlids. Thanks for sharing the picture.

Calmwaters

I totally agree with you these little guys are great and fun to watch. I have tiger barbs and rosy barbs in one of my 20 gallon tanks, and in another I have golden barbs with neon tetras. It is alot of fun watching them zipping in and out of the plants I have. I don't think any fish is disposable they all are creatures that depend on us to take care of them.

Amanda

xrayjeeper83

How many tiger barbs can fit in a 10 gallon? Oh wait will they eat shrimp? They are a cool looking fish and want something other then just snail and shrimp in my 10G

Inga

I have no idea if they would eat shrimp but I am sort of thinking yes. The LFS people said they can be a little "picky" to other fish. They said they do better when they are kept in groups of 5-6 or more. They are cute though, aren't they?

They are fun little fish to watch, I think. My dogs think so too. The one dog has been laying on his dog bed which is about 5 feet away from the tank. He just stares at the fish all afternoon. :) I guess their movement is enough to keep him entertained.

xrayjeeper83

They are. They would look really good in my 55 but I have plans for puffers in there, so they would get tore up.

Inga

I was planning a few Cichlids. The fish lady said that the Tiger Barbs are a good middle of the road fish. They can be housed with slightly aggressive fish and slightly less aggressive.

I just looked up Puffer fish. They are really cute. How many fish will you be stocking in your 55 gallon tank? What else do you have in there?