Adding A New Fish To A Tank

[luxbear]

Hello!

I just had a quick question about re-adding a fish to a tank for those of you who have ample experience. In a previous post on here, I discussed my Tuxedo guppy recently recovering from fin rot. Well, I'm happy to say that his tail is about 100% after being in an emergency bowl for about 4-5 weeks. However, I finally tried to added him to the regular tank today and it was disastrous. The Rosy Barb immediately started attacking him and bit his tail to shreds, thank goodness I was there to take him back out.

He's now recovering again in the emergency bowl, but his tail is in rough shape. He's quite the little fighter, he seems to be doing okay now and I'm confident that his tail will once again recover. But that being said, I'm no longer sure if I want to re-introduce him to the main tank at all in the future. Does anyone have any tips on how to go about this situation? Any information would be helpful.

Thanks!


Main tank info: Freshwater, 15 gallons
Fish: Honey Gourami, White Skirt Tetra, 2 Zebra Tetras, Rosy Barb

 

[Prime Ordeal]

Barbs are often nippy fish but become especially so when alone or in too small numbers. Ideally you need six rosy barbs in there so that the aggression is spread about and not focused on any individual. So, in my opinion, it's lose the barb or lose the guppy or, if your tank will take it (practical maximum of about 15 fish in a 15 gallon tank), add five more rosy barbs, but even then I wouldn't guarantee no fin nipping.

Also your other tetras need to be in group of five or six too to make them happy.

 

[soybean]

Definitely rosy barbs? I only ask because not too long ago someone was talking about their rosy barbs but they meant chery barbs - big difference.

15 gallons is far too small for a group of rosy barbs. In sufficient numbers they are far less likely to pick on other fish, and two isn't a sufficient number.

Tetras also need to be in groups of 6+.

Edit: and while I remember, I believe rosy barbs also do best at temps around 18-22c, unlike the rest of your fish.

 

[luxbear]

Yes, definitely a Rosy barb. We had a guppy in there before and he did just fine. In fact, everything was relatively peaceful until this incident. I'm thinking about rearranging the decorations (that is, if I decide to even re-add him). I guess I'm just surprised that they immediately started attacking him.