Tropical Fish Information – Your Fish Tank Guru

Tiger Barb – Large

Barbs are a hardy and active schooling fish with stunning coloration and distinct personalities. They are recommended for beginning aquarists. The Tiger Barb is silver and gold with black stripes and orange coloring on the fins. This active fish is best kept in schools of five or more, preferably with odd numbers to prevent pairing. A well-planted tank with plenty of swimming space and slightly acidic soft water is ideal. Barbs tend to nip at the fins of larger, slower moving fish.

Clown Loach

This bottom dweller is a staple in the community tank. This slender fish with an orange body with black stripes grows up to an astonishing 12 inches. Males are identified by its tail, which is larger and hooks inward. Females are generally smaller and have a tail which points straight out from its body. Unlike most loaches, the Clown Loach is quite active during the daytime. This peaceful species prefers schooling with three or more other Clown Loaches, and may even school with similar patterned fish, like Tiger Barbs. Provide many hiding places as well as ample amounts of vegetation. Although this is a community fish, Clown Loaches will eat any snail in the fish tank. Due to the lack of scales, just like other loaches, the Clown Loach is extremely sensitive to some medications, especially those with Malachite Green or Copper Sulfate.