Sonshavefish try a few barbs. I have rosy and cherry. The rosy seems the best to me, although I have not had the cherry long. The cherry seems really hardy and is very pretty and active. Mine is just a tiny little thing, probably only 1/2" long. He is bright red with a black stripe in center. My rosy barb I have had for six months or more. Let me tell you they are hardy, strong fish. This rosy barb went through three tanks with ick, and never once did he get it. They are very active, and never seem to rest. I think that may be the reason they are not so prone to ick. I think the fish who tend to rest on the bottom are the one's who tend it get it worse. The rosy barb is a beautiful gold on top and red on bottom metallic color. He has a black spot on his tail area. The females are all gold with a lighter black spot on tail area. I have males, as they are much more colorful. A tank of your size I have only two fish in though. I believe the same tank, by the way you describe it. One rosy barb and one cherry barb in that tank would look good, be active, and not much trouble at all. These rosy barbs are pigs when it comes to eating, and their tanks stay amazingly clean. If you don't like the cherry barbs, get three of the smallest rosy barbs you can find. Otherwise, you might like the cherry barb instead, but still get three. Two fish tend to chase each other too much, because they have nothing else to do. When there are 3 fish, they tend to concentrate on themselves more. Either of these fish only get to be about 1 1/2-2 1/2" in length, so not too big. My rosy barb hates flake food, and will only eat blood worms, and tubifex worms. I'm sure they will eat shrimp, and other food also though, mine just don't like flakes. I think your boys will find these fish fun and exciting to watch since they are so active. The rosy is by far the more active though. I don't care for the tiger barbs myself, but up to you. And please make sure you do a water change at least once a week of 10%, and 25% every 2-3 weeks. Make sure you scrub the tank also, as these tanks tend to get warm fast, and algae tends to grow on sides, and plastic cover. Does yours have a small hood light? If it does, I have a thermometer in my tank, and those little lights can raise the temperature to 80 or more if left on all day. Don't leave it on all day, because the algae will build up fast in that warm water. You should only have it on for 6-8 hours. Barbs are hardy, and can handle a wide range of temps from 62-80. Good luck. Let us know what you decide. Hope this helps a little for your boys. I have a little one too, and she loves her fish. 3 Fancy goldfish, 1-rosy barb, 1-cherry barb, two guppies (males) and 4 bettas and one black mystery snail. We love fishes. The rosy now recogonizes me, and will come to the glass when you scratch on it. Just wanted to add, if you like the bettas, you can put more than one female in a tank your size. I had two in a tank that size and they did great. They died when I moved them to the big tank though. They do have some pretty females, and they get along fine. They stay small too, so that helps. I had a beautiful blue, and a white with purple, and red fins. GOOD LUCK...