Tankmate questions

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
I

icefreeze57

Gambusia
MFK Member
Dec 7, 2011
248
0
16
New Jersey
Hey everyone, I have some tankmate questions (as well as a schooling question)

The match ups are a 50 gallon tank:

A red-tail shark
School of Tiger Barbs (I was thinking of adding 2-3 and then add an additional 2-3 to get them to a school of five... Will fish naturally join a school or do they know who the new comers are?? lol)

Then I wanted to add a 3rd fish (or set of fish) at first I was considering giant/zebra danios but learned that the danios and tiger barbs arn't a good mix. While I know the fish need the space I want to add another element into that mix.


Something else I was considering (again in a 50 gallon) an Oscar. My dad had fish when he was little he had a huge tank with an Oscar and a JD and then some other fish as well.

So a few questions on TMs for an Oscar... can a RTS be mixed with them? I'm concerned about the Oscar getting to big and eating the red tail shark. So I want thoughts on that and also suggestions on a different tankmate. Was considering a JD as well


thanks everyone, I'm looking for some suggestions
 
I wouldn't suggest adding an Oscar to a 50 gallon, especially if you plan on having anyone else in the tank with him. Know this: 99.9% of the time, Oscars will eat anything that will fit into their mouths and I would suggest having at least a 75gal tank for an Oscar.

Tiger Barbs are a very fun schooling/shoaling fish and I do not believe that they would have a problem with having more added to their group, as long as they were around the same size. (Someone please correct me if I'm wrong.)

As far as the Red Tail Shark, well... Thats a question for someone other than myself, I have no experience with them.

Good luck with the setup.
 
Def. wouldn't go for an Oscar in a 50 gallon. It might be fine to have for about 3-4 months but it will out grow that by then. If I were you I would go with the tiger barbs and schooling fish. I have a 50 gallon myself and have 5 angel fish 2-3" a school of tiger barbs (5), a school of black neon tetras(5), a school of lemon tetras (5), and bout 5 or 6 corydoras. Lots of live plants and sand. Tank stays crystal clear, never have water problems, and never have aggresion problems, it's pretty sweet!
 
the barbs should school together, when i added some more tetras to my current school they instantly joined the group and now its great watching them swim around together
 
An oscar will not outgrow a 50 gallon in 3-4 months, it won't even outgrow it in 6 months. I have two in a 29 gallon, they are doing great. When they get too big for the tank I'll upgrade, until then they have plenty of space.
 
I bought one at 2" 4 months ago and it is at 7 inches already. If they are in a small tank they grow differently I guess
 
Yeah I'd go with the barbs and tetras
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom