I'm so confused about rosy barbs

I did some quick research on rosy barbs a few weeks ago, bought 6, and quarantined them. Now I'm reading that rosy barbs shouldn't be in anything less than a four-foot tank! I'm so confused because I kept reading they could be good in 20 gallons and up. ERGGGGGG. Trying to do the best thing and then I don't know what the best thing is anymore.

I have a 30ish gallon tall tank (30" x 12" x 20", the glass part is definitely few inches taller than the standard 29g). Some people are saying rosies can get reach 6", but I don't know if that's true. Not sure what to do. I have 6 rosy barbs, 8 cherry barbs and 1 blue gourami in this tank. I can remove the other fish to make more room for the rosies.

Bleh.
Not happy.
What do y'all think? Could 6 full grown rosy barbs live in my tank long-term, species-only, even if not the most "perfect" setup?

 

If you bought the Rosy Barbs as juveniles, there's plenty of time to consider a tank upgrade or rehoming.
Rosy's can grow to five or six inches, but four inches is a more realistic aquarium size.
A group would look more natural swimming in a 55 gal. tank or bigger, but a small group of Rosy Barbs would likely do fine in a 40 breeder.

 

If you bought the Rosy Barbs as juveniles, there's plenty of time to consider a tank upgrade or rehoming.
Rosy's can grow to five or six inches, but four inches is a more realistic aquarium size.
A group would look more natural swimming in a 55 gal. tank or bigger, but a small group of Rosy Barbs would likely do fine in a 40 breeder.

They are 2.5 inches now. How long does it usually take for them to reach full size? Just got a 40 but it wasn't for them I really wanted a fancy goldfish.

But I really adore the rosy barbs. Maybe I'll set them up in the 40g breeder and see what happens from there. Maybe I can hold off on the goldfish.

How many rosies would you recomend in a 40gb?

 

Maybe seven or eight Rosy Barbs in a 40 B. Growth depends largely on nutrition, genetics & water quality.
Might take a year and a half to reach maximum size.

 

I know its been a few weeks, but ask if you can return them. That could solve all of your problems without costing you anything, or ruining any of your other plans. Its worth a shot.

 

I know its been a few weeks, but ask if you can return them. That could solve all of your problems without costing you anything, or ruining any of your other plans. Its worth a shot.

Not a bad idea, but I am pretty fond of the rosy barbs After some thought, I wouldn’t mind setting up a tank for them. I think it’d be kinda fun. The rest of my family thinks they’re cool, too.

Maybe seven or eight Rosy Barbs in a 40 B. Growth depends largely on nutrition, genetics & water quality.
Might take a year and a half to reach maximum size.

Ok! I’m actually excited to grow them out. I need to buy some higher quality fish food for all my fish. Are new spectrum pellets a good choice for rosies?

ALSO
Just wanted to share my fish I’ve been talking about. The colors on this specific male are so amazing!!

 

I agree, Rosy Barbs are really fun to keep. They check all the boxes, Colorful, active, non aggressive & durable.

 

I have 5 adults and 4 juveniles (the adults bred) in a 30 gallon tank. My 2 year old barbs are the same size as 1 year old, so I'm guessing they're not growing anymore, and they're 3 inches - and that's the long-fin variety, so their bodies are just over 2 inches. I guess you could argue they're stunted, but I don't think so - the tank doesn't look overcrowded. I'm planning to give one juvenile away, simply because I have too many males.

So in my opinion, 30 gallon is sufficient for 6 rosy barbs, as they're not goint to grow to their advertised size anyway.

 

I've never seen an adult rosy barb over 3". I think 6' specimens are myths, just like 2" cardinal tetras or healthy dwarf gouramis.

 

I've never seen an adult rosy barb over 3". I think 6' specimens are myths, just like 2" cardinal tetras or healthy dwarf gouramis.

I doubt the 6” specimens, too. But I have heard people say their fish were 4” or 5”. Could they have measured wrong? Yes. But maybe it depends on genetics.

I think I want to move them into the 40g regardless, because if they do get bigger it’ll work. And if they stay small, I can get some more!

Thank for all the thoughts!

So in my opinion, 30 gallon is sufficient for 6 rosy barbs, as they're not goint to grow to their advertised size anyway.

Just curious, what are the dimensions of your 30g?