What to add? Suggestions welcomed.

[Spankenstyne]

Alright i've got a 75 gal planted tank, Rena Filstar XP3 (allegedly 350 gph) filter and currently residing within after over a year in operation is:

4 Botia Dario, 11 Tiger Barbs, 1 RTS, 3 Ottos, & 1 Bristlenosed pleco.

As far as i can tell my bio load is well under control & capable of more. I normally do a pwc once a week of about 10 gallons but have left it at two weeks now having tested and it's holding pretty steady still at a hair over 10 ppm Nitrates (well below 20 so far though).

Being a loach fiend my first inclination was to get another B. Dario. This doesn't seem to be panning out.
I have however put thought into 3 Yo-Yo's, or possibly 5-10 Sidthimunki (a great store here has them for $2.49 ea and they *appear* healthy).

Of the two options what might be the better course of action? I'm a bit paranoid of ending up overcrowded but i do believe i could be fine with either i just wonder what might be the most compatible option?

I have as a secondary thought also looked at maybe adding some small dither fish instead. The barbs tend to hang mid to low so maybe something with a bit of colour that uses more of the upper space might work better? I've put thought into say white cloud minnows, or some kind of tetra that won't take up too much space but can also deal with the Barbs. The ottos have been fine and thrive in there, the Barbs leave them alone for the most part.

I'm open to any & all suggestions.

[Emma Turner]

When you say that the Botia dario 'don't seem to be panning out', do you mean that you haven't been able to source any more? It's just that B. dario are 'off season' at the moment and so many suppliers won't be offering them for a little while. Give it a month or two and they should start appearing again.

With regards to the Y. sidthimunki, I really would not attempt to keep these alongside Tiger Barbs. Young specimens in particular could quickly end up as an expensive snack for large adult Tiger Barbs.

What temperature are you maintaining the tank at? This will help us to offer you some other dither fish choices.

Emma

[Spankenstyne]

Thanks for the reply Emma.
Yes i was afraid that the Sids might end up Barb-snacks but thought maybe since the Ottos have been fine, but i really don't want to risk it so i won't be going that direction.

As for B. Dario i've been checking locally for a while without any luck, but i will keep looking & really think my best loachy option will be another one for the group.

The temp is at 79 now but in the process of dropping it down to 78 which is where i like to keep it.
I'll happily listen/read any dither suggestions as I'm kind of at a loss for what to do on that end.
Most of my fish reading & research in the past had been stuff like Loaches, Oscars & other large Cichlids, Plecos, Barbs and such. I'm really beginning to appreciate & enjoy the smaller fish species and think something more "upper tank dwelling" will compliment the tank nicely. I just am really weak on knowledge on that end.

[Spankenstyne]

Lotsa views, no other advice?

[TammyLiz]

The problem you're going to run into here is that top dwelling fish like white clouds and danios prefer cooler water than your loaches do. They are hardy fish and will survive in the warmer water, and many people keep them in warmer water, but it is not ideal for them.

It is a fact that has frustrated me a lot when trying to come up with fish combinations for my tanks, as well.

[shari2]

The problem with smaller top level fish would be the tiger barbs, I imagine.
They can be rough on other fish, but maybe with a largish school they will mind their own business?

i like the yoyo option, personally. They get out and about a bit, though still are primarily bottom dwellers.

[Emma Turner]

The Tiger Barbs are definitely going to limit you as to what you can keep in there. Would you consider rehoming those so that you could keep some more peaceable top-dwellers?

Emma

[Spankenstyne]

Oh thanks for the input.
Nice to know about the White Clouds, I'll make sure to avoid them then if the temp is too high.
I had a feeling the barbs might be an issue, but re-homing them won't be an option unfortunately. I'm kind of attached to them and the wife for sure would not be happy at all with that option.
I guess i should be directing my search towards something a little feisty that will defend themselves & the Barbs will leave alone.