Best Large Partners For Smaller Fish?

I've recently planted a new 30 gallon tank and I'm in the process of making stocking decisions. Currently this is what I'm planning:

Julii Cory x4
Tiger Barb x7
Espe's Rasbora x10
Red Cherry Shrimp xX

I would like to choose a few individual fish that are a bit bigger than the ones above to add some contrast and size. I was thinking maybe a swordtail or a molly but I was hoping to tap some knowledge.

Any thoughts or feedback would be most welcome.

Thank you!

 

Hi, maybe a small Gourami would fit. Dwarf Gouramis are quite passive as are Honey Gouramis. I have a red morph of a honey gourami and she's lovely, very active and very cute.

 

Joey Wales thank you very much for your reply and suggestion. Would I have to worry about the Tiger Barbs wtih the Gourami? I read they can be fin nippers.

 

Maybe the barbs would be the only issue. I keep mine with guppies which are notorious fin nippers but they seem to stay away. But the barbs may be the only issue. Gouramis like lots of bushery like live or artificial plants and hiding spaces. But are very beautiful.

 

I've just planted my tank out but I'm not sure if this would be the kind of cover needed.

Tank Planted by Nada Mucho posted Apr 11, 2017 at 12:57 PM

Should grow up nice on the ends of the tank and hopefully the carpet in front will fill in.

 

That looks pretty good to me. Maybe a couple more taller ones would be advised for a bit more hiding capacity and to create gaps in the surface. But if it fills out a bit more as you said i think it looks ok.

 

I agree a honey gourami would be good. A swordtail or molly would also work.
Also I would up the cories to 8.

 

Agree, a honey gourami, swordtail, or a molly would work.

You can maybe try the Bolivian Ram?

 

I'd worry about the tiger barbs overwhelming the rasboras with their activity level... As far as I know, espeis are pretty shy fish and do best with calmer tankmates.

 

I have espei, they are absolutely peaceful. They are not shy in my tank but nobody bothers them.I feel they would be overwhelmed by the tiger barbs.
What about doing cherry barbs if you really want barbs. Maybe add two pearl Gouramis,vthey are fairly big and peaceful.

 

It's hard to say what is peaceful and what isn't when it seriously depends on the individual fish. I was sold a female Betta which is with other female Bettas, which has turned out to be a male and there's no aggression, just a bit of chasing. He's very docile. It's best not to risk things unless you have a place you could move it to.

 

You have your large fish in the plan - tiger barbs. They will reach 3-4 inches with wide bodies if well cared for, and at full adult size in a 30 gallon, you would be full. Tiger barbs alone would push you to the limit.
They will demolish the espeis or small Rasbora. Tiger barbs are not "mean" but they eat what fits in their mouths, and if the flow from the filter isn't strong enough to keep them burning off energy, they will destroy tankmates. They may be small now, but you have to plan for success.

 

NavigatorBlack and the rest of y'all I really appreciate the information. I'm going to bail on the Tiger Barbs as I just can't make it work with the number I'd need for "schooling" and the limited partners you can put in the tank. My next tank is a 55 gallon and that might just be a Tiger Barb playground. I'm going with a nice big school of Espe's Rasboras and some other fast movers. Then I can have my shrimp as well without any worry of them being Barb-snacks. Many thanks for all the help folks.

 

You could do smaller barbs like checkered or Odessa if you really want barbs They'll be fun to watch and more peaceful. Tiger barbs give the whole group a bad name, but many barbs are quite peaceful.

 

I will definitely look into those two barbs. Thank you sir for the information.

 

Ma'am ;-) but no worries!

 

Normally I'm neutral on that but VikingKirken, to me, screams testosterone.

 

Haha nah it's just inspired by a lot of Scandinavian blood in my heritage... and I was a bit of tomboy growing up--I did have a monster truck in high school--so no girly-girl names for me Although it was fun ordering gas with that thing... I'd ask in this honey-sweet voice and the attendants would all double-take.

 

A monster truck in high school? you were one well funded young lady. Me I had a hand-me-down bike and when I finally was able to get a car at 18 my Dad loaned me the money at 9 points interest. I think I would have preferred the monster truck... but not that gas or tires bill.

 

It was $2200... and it needed work... which I was doing regularly. But yeah, the gas bill killed me. I only kept it a year.