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If you have a fish pond, fish tank or are seeking advice about keeping tropical fish, you can find advice on our Fish forum.

Original poster

Best fish to be kept with Rosy Barbs

16 replies

BoringTheBuilder · 03/04/2013 15:56

Hi, I have a friend who is thinking about getting rid of her tank, she has Rosy Barbs in it, so I am already wondering what other fish I can put in it - if I take the tank off her hands...-
I read that Rosy Barbs can be either tropical or cold water, currently they are in a cold water set up. I am dreaming with a tropical set up full of male guppies but I am not sure if RB are fin nippers like the Tiger and other Barbs? I also have my 4ft tank with 1 adult goldfish soon to be ready, but if the RB are fin nippers than I can't put them with my Fancy Goldfish either...
What do I do?

OP posts:
Original poster
BoringTheBuilder · 03/04/2013 15:59

ah, most important
Volume: approx. 54 litres
Aquarium Size: 60 x 30 x 30cm
Juwel filter

OP posts:
EauRouge · 03/04/2013 16:12

Rosies are lovely fish, 54 litres is a bit too small for them though- if they are already in the 54 litre then I wouldn't put anything else in there at all.

I wouldn't say they are fin nippers if kept in the right conditions but not sure I would house them with guppies- they're a lot bigger for a start and the ideal set up for each of them would be different. Defo wouldn't put them in with goldfish. They'd probably be best off with some other temperate fish maybe like odessa barbs although they would be OK with some other community fish like similar sizes tetras.

Original poster
BoringTheBuilder · 03/04/2013 19:00

There are only 3 rosy barbs I forgot to mention
So is it true they can be tropical and cold water?
They are about 5 cm now
Well I jus bought my 4ft tank and have enough space for another 54l so won't be upgrading, no way.

OP posts:
Original poster
BoringTheBuilder · 03/04/2013 19:02

It's the neon tetras ok?
How many on that tank with the 3 RB?
I don't mind regular water changes

OP posts:
EauRouge · 03/04/2013 19:28

I'd probably add another couple of rosy barbs then, 3 isn't really enough for a shoal. Another two or three will make the others happier and healthier. Don't forget to quarantine the new ones.

Original poster
BoringTheBuilder · 03/04/2013 20:35

Can I add another barbs - tiger for example - and a heater? Just to give more variety of colours in the tank?

OP posts:
EauRouge · 03/04/2013 21:08

I wouldn't unless you get a bigger tank first. Especially not with tiger barbs, they need to be kept in a big shoal to even out aggression.

Original poster
BoringTheBuilder · 03/04/2013 22:24

How about 1 siamese fight fish and 2 more RB?

OP posts:
Original poster
BoringTheBuilder · 04/04/2013 01:20

Why do you think that RB won't go with the Goldfish?

OP posts:
EauRouge · 04/04/2013 07:45

No to the betta, they need warmer water.

Nothing is really compatible with goldfish, they need a species tank IME. For a start the rosies will out-compete the goldfish for food because they can swim faster. Also the goldfish's fins might prove a bit too tempting, it's hard to say for sure. I wouldn't risk it but it's up to you whether you want to.

Original poster
BoringTheBuilder · 04/04/2013 10:29

So, my goldfish is 10 year old and the size of a tennis ball. Do you think I can add Fancy babies with him at the 4ft tank or he will eat them? Ah, do the)) stunt in a unsuitable tank because I can't upgrade them and my firend want to give the complete tank away.

OP posts:
EauRouge · 04/04/2013 10:59

The rosies shouldn't stunt in a 54 litre tank, it's only a bit on the small side. It just won't provide them with loads of swimming room and you'll have to be careful not to overcrowd because it can cause aggression problems. You could probably put another one or two in there but I wouldn't put any other species in.

Fancy babies should be OK with your tennis ball Grin He sounds ace BTW. The babies can swim much faster and the ones you get from a shop shouldn't be small enough to eat. Alternatively you could look for a rescue, there are always people trying to rehome goldfish- be careful though that they are not all disease ridden, they would need quarantining for sure. I had 3 fancies in my 4ft tank and that was a pretty good number.

Original poster
BoringTheBuilder · 04/04/2013 11:11

I wish my friend would let me adopt the 3 fancies she keeps in a very small tank (23 litres I think).
I know that my 240l will be a bit overstocked but....

OP posts:
EauRouge · 04/04/2013 12:03

Aw, poor things. Steal them! Grin

Original poster
BoringTheBuilder · 04/04/2013 12:24

But I will be overstocked won't I ? Also they are orange ryukins like mine and I was thinking to get 1 red cap Oranda and 1 calico ryukin. I wish I could have telescope or bubble eye but they freak Dh out.

OP posts:
EauRouge · 04/04/2013 18:18

You could just about squeeze 4 fancies in a 240l, you'd only be ever so slightly overstocked. They'd be a hell of a lot better off in there than a 23 litre!

Calico ryukins are lovely. I used to have the most beautiful calico veiltail, I was gutted when he died.

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