Barbs

Question
Hey Nicole it is me tie, i do not have a ? but ,my neighbor does(does not have a computer)they are an older couple and they got a 20 gallon fish tank, and they asked me what kind of barbs they would reccommend they should get cause they heard barbs were good starters, i reall did not know but i said tigers or black ruby or rosy, but they still want to know other kinds and i just do not have anytime to look up this stuff for them,(Am leaving for CHINA) so can you send me a list of good starter barbs with a site where i can get pics so i can have my neighbors look at them. And plz try to answer this ? ASAP
THanks a bundle
TIe

Answer
Hi Tie,

Since your neighbors don't have a computer, they should really go to the library and check out a book. Lots of books have an encyclopedia of sorts, with pictures, and information about the species listed - like how big they get, what foods they eat, all information which is good to know. I recommend David Alderton's "Encyclopedia of Aquarium and Pond Fish" which has lots of barbs, among other fish.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puntius
This website has several common barb names, if you click on the common name which is in blue, it will take you to the Wikipedia page specifically about that species.

http://aqualandpetsplus.com/Minnows,%20Barbs.htm
This website has lots of pictures of different barbs.

The only problem with barbs is that some get too big for average aquariums. Tinfoil barbs are the ones that are most commonly available, these get much too large. Spanner, five-striped, demasoni or torpedo barbs, and clown barbs are also bigger barbs...they will outgrow a 20 gallon tank. Some of these have different common names, but you are unlikely to run into them at chain pet stores.

That's why a book is such a handy reference source, especially for someone who doesn't have a computer. Just turn to the chapter on barbs, and there are lots of pictures, the scientific name...all the basic info.

Rosy barbs get a little big for a 20 gallon tank, but they would be ok for a while. Tiger barbs come in three different varieties: tiger barbs, albino tiger barbs (which is actually more of a pink color) and green tiger or moss barbs. Cherry barbs are little, a whole bunch could fit in a 20 gallon tank. Black ruby barbs are fine, and gold barbs are fine for a 20 gallon tank. Those are all the barbs you are probably going to run into commonly. I have heard of odessa barbs and checkered barbs but haven't seen them personally - they stall small enough for this tank.

Barbs are in the same family as danios and rasboras, danios are hardy fish that go well with barbs. Zebra danios are excellent fish for new tanks. Rasboras are more delicate except for varieties like brilliant rasboras...

Have a nice trip!
Nicole