Have a bit of a problem

[TigerBarb12]

As of right now, my future stockings for the 38g have to be the following, is this ok??

8 Tiger barbs
5 Serpae tetra
3 Bloodfin tetra
1 Gold barb (survivor from 20 gal)
1 Algae Eater
3-4 Cories
2 Blue Rams

I dont think its ok, i may have to forget the algae eater, but i have a thick coat of brown algae on my gravel

[mesapod]

Well ive been reading up on otos and they are a nice fish they only grow 2 inches and they are suppost to love that brown algae but if you are going to get them buy at least three and reads up on them first too. They arent as aggressive as a chinese algae eater

[JustOneMore20]

I'd be worried about the Barbs and Serpaes nipping the Rams fins.

If you get an algae eater, get a few Otocinclus after the tank has been setup for a while. Don't get a Chinese Algae Eater or a Common Pleco.

[TigerBarb12]

Do you mean the ottocinclus catfish, yeah, they look pretty cool, but how much are they, i have 25 bucks i have to use to get 4 tiger barbs, which will be $7 2 serpae tetra about $4 and 2 bloodfin tetra about $4. I would love to have blue rams, but if the TB's and serpaes will nip, what else would make a good centerpiece, i really wanted blue rams, so cool looking

And the tank has been setup for im guessing 3 weeks now, maybe a little more.

Nope, the 2 serpae are cheaper, they are on sale 3 for $3.58 or something, so i can get or $1.38 apiece, so only about $3 for serpaes.

Added up 7+4+3= After tax- $16

That leaves $9 Man, i hate being 15, but at least i have money to buy fish, after all, i just bought the 38g for $270, everything is top notch, i think, and brand new. ill post my filter and heater and stuff later.

[fishbguy]

around me, ottos are 3-4 bucks each

[TigerBarb12]

Air Pumps- Haltz: my strongest
Hawkeye: Next strongest
Aqua Culture: Weakest air pump

Filter- Aquaclear 70: Says it is for 40-70 gallons, thats good for a 38g
Heater- Aquaclear 30: Says its a 150 watt heater, i dont know if thats good enough.

Thermometer- I have the one that is like a tube, it suctions to the inside of the tank, it looks cool, i think

[fishbguy]

I'm 16, I just got a second job at the lfs, so that's extra money, and I found 20 bucks in the lfs parkinglot on the way in today..lol

[BV77]

you should do the honest thing and turn that $20 into the police dept. and wait to see if someone claims it......................rofl....NOT

[TigerBarb12]

Lol, no, keep it. If they are missing $20, unless they are a little kid, then they need help. With about $9 leftover, i have no clue what to buy, i would love to get blue rams, but with 8 tiger barbs and 6 serpae, wouldnt they ignore the rams?

[Gourami Swami]

Its only 20 bucks who cares.

And dude, 9$ wouldnt even buy one blue ram. they are 12$ each around here.

And for another centerpiece fish, I would consider a couple big mollies. They can get up to 6", and big sailfins are really eye catching!

[Scootydoo]

get a job at lfs? means discounts and cash flow

[TigerBarb12]

MY lfs requires 18 years of age. And around here, the blue rams are about $7. The molly idea is cool, but i was wanting more blue, i have orange and red, so mollies wouldnt look nice and stand out?

[Kageshi17]

You can get white or dalmation mollies!

[fishbguy]

blue rams here cost 8.99. There is no way i'm turning in 20 bucks. that's almost nothing. but to me, it's alot...lol

[Buggy]

You could try a neon blue dwarf Gourami for the centerpiece fish. I don't think it would be in any more danger then any other fish from the nippy barbs and you can't get much "bluer" then these. $6.99 each at petco here.

[Ravynnm]

If you're worrying about anything nipping rams fins, you've never kept rams. They are extremely territorial, and aggressive, ain't nuthin' gonna nip their fins. I've had them chase a 6" angel out their territory.

Oh, and skip the algae eater and get a birstle/bushy nosed plec, a tiger if you can't find the b nose.

Rav

[JustOneMore20]

I have kept Rams and I know they are territorial but Tiger Barbs are ruthless and aggressive. I personally wouldn't keep the 2 together....especially in a 38g tank.....maybe in a larger tank there would be enough room for them to inhabit peacefully.

[TigerBarb12]

So a neon blue dwarf gourami is good. Never seen one personally. And Tiger barbs will nip at anyone, unless the fish can swallow it whole.

[Kageshi17]

Paradise Gouramis are also really cool. They are gorgeous and get about 4 inches long. So awesome. When they are young, they aren't too aggressive. And when they get older, they aren't either, you just have to let them bully fish until they have had their fill. Then they are fine. I have mine in my 29g with 1 leaf fish, 3 rainbow fish, and 6 cories. He does very well. They do have BIG problems with big flowy finned fish like betta and those cherry barbs with the big fins. Oh man he wouldnt let up. But other then that, they are really cool fish. Orange and leapord print and blue. Its cool stuff. But also there are orange sunset gourami that get only like maybe 3 inches.