Opinions on fish groupings

[freddy]

I am new to topical fish keeping (had goldfish sucessfully for couple of years) and would like peoples views on tropical tank mates.

I have 10 gold barbs at present and are planning on adding zebra danios, rasboras and corys (over time of course)!! I am wanting to have 2-3 bigger fish to add to the group, but conflicting advice leaves me terribly confused!!

I have been looking at either dwarf gouramis, blue rams or kribensis, but the more I read, the more confused I get. Some books say ok - some books imply to not even go their!! I had a complete tank "wipe out" a couple of months back at my first tropical attempt, so am probably being over causious in regard to fish having a go at each other or anything potentially causing a problem with aggression etc.

Any advice would be grately appreciated.

[Caryl]

First of all we need to know what size your tank is and how many litres. How long has the tank been going with the 10 barbs in it?

You say you want bigger fish but the 3 you mention are about the same size as the barbs.

[Guest]

I would probably try Kribs. You can get to watch them raise a family.

[freddy]

tank is an aquaone620, about 90L. When I said "bigger" I meant more of a "chunkier" wider, looking fish. The barb are littlies at the moment I do realise they can grow up to 7-10cm (depending on what book you read)!!

[Guest]

If your looking for a rounder fish you could try black widows whick look like this:

[Adrienne]

Kribs are really nice fish, however when they breed they can become vicious. You could get two or so of the same sex however, although the females won't colour up as much without a male in there.

My females attack the male kribs when they have eggs so would hate to think what they do to other fish.