[smit3183]

Will emerald catfish work? If not what will. This is a 55 gallon

 

[1077]

Will emerald catfish work? If not what will. This is a 55 gallon

Should work in my view so long as temp is not much higher than 76-78 degree's F.
Barb's don't frequent the substrate like the cory's so they should be fine.

 

[smit3183]

Follow up question,how many tiger barbs you think could ultimately go in a 55? I plan to mix the green, albino and regular forms of them?

 

[1077]

Follow up question,how many tiger barbs you think could ultimately go in a 55? I plan to mix the green, albino and regular forms of them?

I tend to stock moderately,so 15 to 20 would be my choice which should help limit the nipping that these fish are notorius for when kept in smaller number's.
Maybe six of the cory's. IMHO

 

[jaysee]

I agree with 1077.

In my experience tiger barbs mercilessly nipped the dorsal fins of the Corys I tried to keep with them. However, when I kept them with zebra loaches I didn't have that problem.

Another option is a pair of crayfish.