Compatibility: Tiger Barbs, Bala Sharks, Clown Loaches

[Elizabeth Naime]

Getting ready to set up 120 gallons of community tank. My priority is
the funny-looking bottom-dwellers: a pleco (Liposarcus pardalis, we
think) already acquried and I'd like two or three raphaels as well.
Husband wants day-swimmers and a spot of color, and is set on Bala
Sharks. We have a group of tiger barbs as well.

Would the barbs be compatible with the balas, in the long run? We're
waffling on whether to give them a different tank. Nothing I've read so
far makes the barbs and the balas necessarily a bad combination, but I'd
like to hear from those with more experience.

I've also gone and fallen in love with clown loaches. Provided I have
room (which is going to depend on how many/how large tanks are
involved), I would love to have a group of these. Of the fish already
mentioned, tiger barbs and balas, would they get along with either or
both?

I have also been assuming, from their own profiles, that the plec and
the raphael cats will be fine with any of these fish.

What do you think?


-----------------------------------------
Only know that there is no spork.

[Rick]

"Elizabeth Naime" > wrote in message
...
> Getting ready to set up 120 gallons of community tank. My priority is
> the funny-looking bottom-dwellers: a pleco (Liposarcus pardalis, we
> think) already acquried and I'd like two or three raphaels as well.
> Husband wants day-swimmers and a spot of color, and is set on Bala
> Sharks. We have a group of tiger barbs as well.
>
> Would the barbs be compatible with the balas, in the long run? We're
> waffling on whether to give them a different tank. Nothing I've read so
> far makes the barbs and the balas necessarily a bad combination, but I'd
> like to hear from those with more experience.
>
> I've also gone and fallen in love with clown loaches. Provided I have
> room (which is going to depend on how many/how large tanks are
> involved), I would love to have a group of these. Of the fish already
> mentioned, tiger barbs and balas, would they get along with either or
> both?
>
> I have also been assuming, from their own profiles, that the plec and
> the raphael cats will be fine with any of these fish.
>
> What do you think?
>


I think it would make for a great looking tank. I would recommend 8 or more
Tiger Barbs that way they spend more time chasing each other than anything
else. The Clowns and Bala's should be bought in groups of 3 or more . To me
there is nothing quite like the sight of 4 or 5 Bala Sharks racing around a
large tank, spectacular. I have a 77g planted tank that up to last week had
4 Bala Sharks in the 4 to 5" range, 5 Clown Loaches, one about 4" the others
around 2". I got rid of my Bala's as I am turning the tank into a Rainbow
set up and purchased some Melanotaenia trifasiata (Regal Rainbow) a stunning
Goyder River "bow". I also have a 33g planted tank with 10 Tiger Barbs,
some white skirt Tetras, and a few other fish. I bred by Tiger Barbs in
December and have about 50 nice size juveniles right now which are heading
for the auction on Sunday. If your interested you can see some pics at
www.asw.ca click on the gallery link and scroll down the left side to
Richard and Shirley.

Rick

[Elizabeth Naime]

Nice fish, Rick!

They *would* all look great together. I'm just a little concerned over
whether the barbs (11 little fin-nippers rolicking around the 55 like a
herd of pre-teen boys) and the loaches will be too boisterous for the
reportedly flighty and peace-loving balas...

I am already beginning to see the appeal of a species tank of tiger
barbs, I have to admit. They are a delight to watch!


-----------------------------------------
Only know that there is no spork.

[Rick]

"Elizabeth Naime" > wrote in message
...
> Nice fish, Rick!
>
> They *would* all look great together. I'm just a little concerned over
> whether the barbs (11 little fin-nippers rolicking around the 55 like a
> herd of pre-teen boys) and the loaches will be too boisterous for the
> reportedly flighty and peace-loving balas...
>
> I am already beginning to see the appeal of a species tank of tiger
> barbs, I have to admit. They are a delight to watch!
>
>
> -----------------------------------------
> Only know that there is no spork.

yes a species tank of just Tiger Barbs is quite a site indeed. I really
don't think they will bother the Bala's who are very quick themselves .
Would you be putting these fish in the 120 or the 55?. In the 120 which I
would assume is a 6' tank they would be fine. In a 55 tall I might consider
going the species route. With a 55 long (4') you would be o.k. Let us know
what you decide.

Rick

[T]

"Rick" > wrote in message
...
>
> "Elizabeth Naime" > wrote in message
> ...
> > Nice fish, Rick!
> >
> > They *would* all look great together. I'm just a little concerned over
> > whether the barbs (11 little fin-nippers rolicking around the 55 like a
> > herd of pre-teen boys) and the loaches will be too boisterous for the
> > reportedly flighty and peace-loving balas...
> >
> > I am already beginning to see the appeal of a species tank of tiger
> > barbs, I have to admit. They are a delight to watch!
> >
> >
> > -----------------------------------------
> > Only know that there is no spork.
>
> yes a species tank of just Tiger Barbs is quite a site indeed. I really
> don't think they will bother the Bala's who are very quick themselves .
> Would you be putting these fish in the 120 or the 55?. In the 120 which I
> would assume is a 6' tank they would be fine. In a 55 tall I might
consider
> going the species route. With a 55 long (4') you would be o.k. Let us know
> what you decide.
>
> Rick
>
>

I am not sure what to think about the clowns and tigers together.. I
think thier suits would contrast very easily.. Meaning they have a very
similair colour pattern.. I like Tigers, think they are fascinating, but I
would think they would get lost with the clowns or vicee versa.. I have
always liked Tinfoils Barbs as well.. I had a small school of 6 in a 55
tall.. In some ways I regret selling them off, but the Malawi's took
presendence and felt the Barbs needed a much larger tank to swim about in..
I am presumeing you were going to put these in the 120G tank.. I also like
the the personality of the TinFoils, mine seems to be quite vain and often
enjoyed schooling with thier refelections on the glass.. In the long run, it
is your choice, and I am certain what fancies you is what you will
choose..Happy Fish keeping

Tim

[NetMax]

"T" > wrote in message
link.net...
>
> "Rick" > wrote in message
> ...
> >
> > "Elizabeth Naime" > wrote in message
> > ...
> > > Nice fish, Rick!
> > >
> > > They *would* all look great together. I'm just a little concerned
over
> > > whether the barbs (11 little fin-nippers rolicking around the 55
like a
> > > herd of pre-teen boys) and the loaches will be too boisterous for
the
> > > reportedly flighty and peace-loving balas...
> > >
> > > I am already beginning to see the appeal of a species tank of tiger
> > > barbs, I have to admit. They are a delight to watch!
<snip>

When wondering about dis-similar species compatibility, I sometimes look
at their shapes. Balas are designed for speed (thin & long) and keep in
fairly high motion. Tiger barbs are built for manoeuvrability, and also
keep fairly mobile. The Bala's speed advantage would allow them to
easily outrun any annoying Tigers in a large tank, so I think that the
Tigers would soon give up all attempts. If the Balas were inclined to
harass the Tigers (which is unlikely anyways), then the Tiger's ability
to turn on a dime would out manoeuvre the Bala's offences. Sounds like
they are compatible, but to stay on the safe side, keep a school of each
(ie: 8-12 Tigers and 5-8 Balas). I don't think your Clown Loaches really
factor in, as they live in the 'underworld', and will only occasionally
blunder through the Tiger's pecking order disputes because they can (and
this is the nature of Clown loaches ;~).

NetMax

[Elizabeth Naime]

Thanks everyone for your advice so far! The Balas will be in the 120
gallon, I don't think a 55 would give them enough swimming room when
young (much less when they grow a bit). The loaches, if I can talk the
husband into them, would likely be in a 120 gallon as well. The barbs
shouldn't get more than 3", isn't that right? So even as a group I have
more options for tank size should we decide to keep them separate.

Definitely I am thinking in terms of who is active when, and where in
the tank they like to hang out. The barbs currently move around a lot,
and will dive sometimes, but mostly seem to like the middle and top of
the tank. Balas, if I'm reading things right, are upper-tank swimmers.
Technically the loaches would be bottom-dwellers (look at those mouths!)
but one of their more endearing traits seems to be doing things, as
pointed out, "because they can"...

I can't have every fish that strikes my fancy, I'm afraid -- too many
fish, not enough tank space! But I am trying to work in the ones I've
really fallen in love with, and the clown loaches are definitely in that
category.

Although I know the correct term is "shoal", I have to say that watching
fishes while I window shop and make my plans, I speak of the barbs as
"flocks" (constantly in motion like a flock of starlings!), cories as
travelling in "herds," and clown loaches seem to group together in
"packs". ;-)


-----------------------------------------
Only know that there is no spork.

[D&M]

In my one tank, I got about 14 Tiger barbs, mix for regulars, greeny's, and
albino. They're in with Bala sharks and clown loachs, as well as many other
species. I have never had a problem with the tiger barbs that I can
remember, except they attack any sick fish in the tank (if they're the same
size or smaller), and they stay away from larger fish.
My bala sharks rapidly outgrew them, they about 6-8 months old now, little
over 6". Clown loaches when they were young, used to school with the regular
tiger barbs as they looked the same, was quite cute, and the barbs didn't
seem to care. The clown loaches however have now outgrown them (about 4"
now) as well, and they stopped hanging around together.
Most agressive fish I have are supposed to be peaceful, and that is a pair
of austrailian rainbows, they put chase the bala's and anything that
ventures to high in the tank, Yoyo loaches, they terrorize everybody when
they come out to play (wouldn't recommend them to anyone), Yellow tailed
blue loaches, they'll put chase on passer byers. Recently evicted a 5"
pictus cat that took over 1/2 a 90g.



"Elizabeth Naime" > wrote in message
...
> Thanks everyone for your advice so far! The Balas will be in the 120
> gallon, I don't think a 55 would give them enough swimming room when
> young (much less when they grow a bit). The loaches, if I can talk the
> husband into them, would likely be in a 120 gallon as well. The barbs
> shouldn't get more than 3", isn't that right? So even as a group I have
> more options for tank size should we decide to keep them separate.
>
> Definitely I am thinking in terms of who is active when, and where in
> the tank they like to hang out. The barbs currently move around a lot,
> and will dive sometimes, but mostly seem to like the middle and top of
> the tank. Balas, if I'm reading things right, are upper-tank swimmers.
> Technically the loaches would be bottom-dwellers (look at those mouths!)
> but one of their more endearing traits seems to be doing things, as
> pointed out, "because they can"...
>
> I can't have every fish that strikes my fancy, I'm afraid -- too many
> fish, not enough tank space! But I am trying to work in the ones I've
> really fallen in love with, and the clown loaches are definitely in that
> category.
>
> Although I know the correct term is "shoal", I have to say that watching
> fishes while I window shop and make my plans, I speak of the barbs as
> "flocks" (constantly in motion like a flock of starlings!), cories as
> travelling in "herds," and clown loaches seem to group together in
> "packs". ;-)
>
>
> -----------------------------------------
> Only know that there is no spork.

[Rick]

"T" > wrote in message
link.net...
>
> "Rick" > wrote in message
> ...
> >
> > "Elizabeth Naime" > wrote in message
> > ...
> > > Nice fish, Rick!
> > >
> > > They *would* all look great together. I'm just a little concerned over
> > > whether the barbs (11 little fin-nippers rolicking around the 55 like
a
> > > herd of pre-teen boys) and the loaches will be too boisterous for the
> > > reportedly flighty and peace-loving balas...
> > >
> > > I am already beginning to see the appeal of a species tank of tiger
> > > barbs, I have to admit. They are a delight to watch!
> > >
> > >
> > > -----------------------------------------
> > > Only know that there is no spork.
> >
> > yes a species tank of just Tiger Barbs is quite a site indeed. I really
> > don't think they will bother the Bala's who are very quick themselves .
> > Would you be putting these fish in the 120 or the 55?. In the 120 which
I
> > would assume is a 6' tank they would be fine. In a 55 tall I might
> consider
> > going the species route. With a 55 long (4') you would be o.k. Let us
know
> > what you decide.
> >
> > Rick
> >
> >
>
> I am not sure what to think about the clowns and tigers together.. I
> think thier suits would contrast very easily.. Meaning they have a very
> similair colour pattern.. I like Tigers, think they are fascinating, but
I
> would think they would get lost with the clowns or vicee versa.. I have
> always liked Tinfoils Barbs as well.. I had a small school of 6 in a 55
> tall.. In some ways I regret selling them off, but the Malawi's took
> presendence and felt the Barbs needed a much larger tank to swim about
in..
> I am presumeing you were going to put these in the 120G tank.. I also
like
> the the personality of the TinFoils, mine seems to be quite vain and often
> enjoyed schooling with thier refelections on the glass.. In the long run,
it
> is your choice, and I am certain what fancies you is what you will
> choose..Happy Fish keeping
>
> Tim
>


Tiger Barbs and Clown Loaches get along great. The closeness in coloration
allows the loaches to swim with the Barbs with no problem. It is quite a
sight to have 4 or 5 Clowns and a group of Tiger Barbs together. Tin Foil
barbs will eventually get huge and although o.k for a 120 long they in the
end would not be suitable for a 55 g tank.


Rick

[Rick]

mid posted....
"Elizabeth Naime" > wrote in message
...
> Thanks everyone for your advice so far! The Balas will be in the 120
> gallon, I don't think a 55 would give them enough swimming room when
> young (much less when they grow a bit). The loaches, if I can talk the
> husband into them, would likely be in a 120 gallon as well. The barbs
> shouldn't get more than 3", isn't that right? So even as a group I have
> more options for tank size should we decide to keep them separate.
>

that is a good chocie, as NetMax pointed out they are very fast swimmers and
will love that extra room. The Tiger Barbs wil max out at 2.5-3".

> Definitely I am thinking in terms of who is active when, and where in
> the tank they like to hang out. The barbs currently move around a lot,
> and will dive sometimes, but mostly seem to like the middle and top of
> the tank. Balas, if I'm reading things right, are upper-tank swimmers.
> Technically the loaches would be bottom-dwellers (look at those mouths!)
> but one of their more endearing traits seems to be doing things, as
> pointed out, "because they can"...
>
Barbs normally are mid tank swimmers, Bala's mid to top and loaches on the
bottom however drop some Zuchinni in the tank and see where your Bala's end
up. My Clowns come out at feeding time and eat at the surface just like the
other fish. Wait until you hear the sound that your Bala's make feeding on
flake food at the surface. Hard to describe but you will know it when they
do it.


> I can't have every fish that strikes my fancy, I'm afraid -- too many
> fish, not enough tank space! But I am trying to work in the ones I've
> really fallen in love with, and the clown loaches are definitely in that
> category.

You can try but then be ready to end up with 35+ tanks like me!!!

>
> Although I know the correct term is "shoal", I have to say that watching
> fishes while I window shop and make my plans, I speak of the barbs as
> "flocks" (constantly in motion like a flock of starlings!), cories as
> travelling in "herds," and clown loaches seem to group together in
> "packs". ;-)
>
>


enjoy and let us know how things go.

Rick