Barbs Are Crazy - Please Advise

[I Love my fishies]

I am new to the tropical fish scene, I have two happy little goldfish Black Moor (Mr Wigglesworth) and a orange fan tail (sparky) and I love my little babbies the swim up to me when I walk up to their tank they are very sociable and know who their mummy is

So I thought id get another tank (with a heater) and try my hand at tropical fish so at first we bout to rainbow sharks (now my tank has a lid but has a small 1.5-2cm gap for the filter) and the little Rainbow sharks both seemed to find this small gap and jumped out of the tank which was rather upsetting.

I then put some fine mesh over this small gap to solve this problem and I got two little tiger barbs and boy are they not beginner fish I never realised they were so aggressive I had one nice one (Molly) and a very nasty one (Dodge) then I got a bigger tiger barb (Big Red) to sort out Dodge because he had pestered an fin nipped Molly quite badly and she would just float scared in the corner poor little thing.

I read they are happier and let aggressive if there is more of them and Big Red (the larger barb) was actually terrified of Dodge who nearly tore him apart so I got Dodge out of the tank (really quite hard to catch barbs they are very quick) I put some tank water in a large glass bowl and put Dodge in their for time out while I pondered what to do about the situation.

Meanwhile I went upstairs for a shower and came back down he had committed suicide and was been eaten by ants on the floor (poor Dodge) so I went to the pet shop the next day and got two little green barbs (I made sure they were smaller than Molly) the little green barbs seem the quarrel amongst themselves occasionally nipping at Big Red but they leave Molly alone thank goodness, she is still timid (her tail and bottom fin is slightly torn from Dodge) and just hovers near the edge of the tank but seems to be coming out of her shell since Dodge has gone Big Red doesn’t nip at Molly at all and seems to be a little protective of her.

I think perhaps it would be a good idea to get two more Tiger Barbs and two more Green Barbs so they can be in 2 groups of 4 or a big group of 8 (in some cases the different colour barbs school together and in other cases school in separate groups) this way the will be less aggressive and tend not to gang up on others ….. what do you think?

 

[scooterchick]

How big is your tank? Personally I'd take the tigers back til you've got more experience. Have you cycled your tank?

Also, do you have 2 rainbow sharks? If so you'll have to take one of them back 2, I'm afraid a tank is only big enough for one of them. They'll fight, maybe not now, maybe not next month, but they will fight, better to separate them now before you get too attached to them.

RIP Dodge

 

[CPQ]

Hi, I had problems with my tiger barbs too when I first started. I was initially sold just one green tiger barb on her own (as much my fault for not reading up as the lfs fault for telling me she was ok on her own). She used to chase everything else in the tank around like crazy. So I bought an albino tiger barb and they fought all the time too (although the green focused her aggression just on the new tiger barb and left the other fish alone). Now I have 5 (2 regular, 2 albino and 1 green) and they're absolutely fine! they fight a little bit together but none of them are ever injured and its not that often and all 5 of them school together! I've even got a siamese fighter in there (but not for much longer!) and they havn't even given him grief!

I think the key is getting a large enough group that they can spread their aggression out among themselves. I've also found that my males have a tendency to chase a round the females so maybe a higher ration of females to males is a good idea!?

 

[rdd1952]

Some more information about your tank would help.
1) How large is your tank?
2) What type/size filter do you have?
3) Is your tank cycled?

I see several problems already with what you have, not counting probably being overstocked.

First, goldfish and tropicals shouldn't be mixed. They have different temperature requirements as goldfish prefer water temps between 65 and 75 (preferably around 70) and tropicals are best kept at about 78.

Second, as mentioned, because of their aggressiveness, only one shark can be kept at a time. One will eventually kill the other. They do not tolerate their own species.

Third, as you have already learned, tiger barbs are not community fish. They will harass fish regarless of size. They (or should I say he since you lost one) will give the fan tail a particularly hard time. Ant slow moving fish are at particular risk regardless of their size.

As far as stock is considered, the general rule of thumb for goldfish is 20 gallons for the first fish and 10 gallons for each additional fish. just for the 3 you have, you really need 40 gallons, not counting the space required for the shark and barbs.

 

[Dark Wolf]

Just pointing out that i don't think she's keeping the goldfish and tropical together, she said she bought another tank for them.

 

[murphyk32]

And also im pretty sure she doesnt have any more rainbow sharks.

 

[GRJ]

I am not sure but shouldnt you kep barbs in groups of 5 or 6? Aren't they better if there are more as i the case with most tropical fih like tetras ect? Sorry to hear your having problems tho!

 

[roseK]

^

i had barbs, 3, and they were always aggressive, because they need to be in bigger groups.

 

[GRJ]

^

i had barbs, 3, and they were always aggressive, because they need to be in bigger groups.

I knew i hadnt imagined it!!!LOL!

 

[newtotropical]

Hi Barbs need to be in groups of at least 6, the more the better!!!! This spreads the aggression

 

[-germ-]

Sorry but i couldn't help thinking "Prozac!" when i saw the topic title.....

Anyhow NTT and RoseK are correct, 6 or more is what you hear bandied aboutbut bigger is better, they'll feel less defensive in a bigger group toward other fish and the aggression will be spread out when it comes to the other barbs.
But joking aside, the questions in RDDs post do need answering, aside from those involving the goldfish and sharks.

 

[rdd1952]

I missed the fact that she had a different tank for the tropicals. I saw where shesaid that the barbs jumped out but didn't realize that she had lost them. I assumed that she had put them back in.

I also didn't mention in my first post that you need to keep a very close eye on the fish for signs of disease. With the molly being as stressed as it is, you could see an outbreak of white spot as it seems to alwys be triggered by stress.

 

[I Love my fishies]

Some more information about your tank would help.1) How large is your tank?2) What type/size filter do you have?3) Is your tank cycled?I see several problems already with what you have, not counting probably being overstocked.First, goldfish and tropicals shouldn't be mixed. They have different temperature requirements as goldfish prefer water temps between 65 and 75 (preferably around 70) and tropicals are best kept at about 78.Second, as mentioned, because of their aggressiveness, only one shark can be kept at a time. One will eventually kill the other. They do not tolerate their own species.Third, as you have already learned, tiger barbs are not community fish. They will harass fish regarless of size. They (or should I say he since you lost one) will give the fan tail a particularly hard time. Ant slow moving fish are at particular risk regardless of their size.As far as stock is considered, the general rule of thumb for goldfish is 20 gallons for the first fish and 10 gallons for each additional fish. just for the 3 you have, you really need 40 gallons, not counting the space required for the shark and barbs.

Hi,I don't have any sharks they both jumped out of the tank I only had a small opening but they found it and jumped out of the tank I came home from work and much to my horror found them dead on the floor ... My two goldfish are in a different tank to the barbs ... sorry I didn't explan myself correctly I have one tank with 2 goldfish and another tank with 2 tiger barbs and 2 green barbs the tank with the 4 barbs is a 40 litre tank (is this big enough?). I have an aqua one carbon filter and I am not too sure what is ment by cycling I saw an article on it someone here I will go read about it. Thankyou

How big is your tank? Personally I'd take the tigers back til you've got more experience. Have you cycled your tank?Also, do you have 2 rainbow sharks? If so you'll have to take one of them back 2, I'm afraid a tank is only big enough for one of them. They'll fight, maybe not now, maybe not next month, but they will fight, better to separate them now before you get too attached to them.RIP Dodge

I don't have any sharks they both jumped out of the tank I only had a small opening but they found it and jumped out of the tank I came home from work and much to my horror found them dead on the floor ... My two goldfish are in a different tank to the barbs ... sorry I didn't explan myself correctly I have one tank with 2 goldfish and another tank with 2 tiger barbs and 2 green barbs.Ok I want to get another rainbow shark one day I will make sure I only get one . Thankyou

Hi, I had problems with my tiger barbs too when I first started. I was initially sold just one green tiger barb on her own (as much my fault for not reading up as the lfs fault for telling me she was ok on her own). She used to chase everything else in the tank around like crazy. So I bought an albino tiger barb and they fought all the time too (although the green focused her aggression just on the new tiger barb and left the other fish alone). Now I have 5 (2 regular, 2 albino and 1 green) and they're absolutely fine! they fight a little bit together but none of them are ever injured and its not that often and all 5 of them school together! I've even got a siamese fighter in there (but not for much longer!) and they havn't even given him grief!I think the key is getting a large enough group that they can spread their aggression out among themselves. I've also found that my males have a tendency to chase a round the females so maybe a higher ration of females to males is a good idea!?

Yay so there is hope for them yet Thankyou

Just pointing out that i don't think she's keeping the goldfish and tropical together, she said she bought another tank for them.

That's right I could only imagine the horror if Mr Wigglesworth and Sparky were in with the barbs.

And also im pretty sure she doesnt have any more rainbow sharks.

That's correct RIP the poor little things

 

[I Love my fishies]

I am not sure but shouldnt you kep barbs in groups of 5 or 6? Aren't they better if there are more as i the case with most tropical fih like tetras ect? Sorry to hear your having problems tho!

Thankyou, when I researched on the net it said they are better in larger groups I have 4 barbs all up 2 tiger and 2 green perhapse I should get another 2-4 I am just worried about Molly (tiger barb) who the green babrbs keep picking on mind you the green barbs are considerably smaller (younger) than the tiger babrs mabye they have small man syndrom or something.Mollys tail and bottom fins have almost been eaten off, between what Dodge did to her (RIP Dodge) and what the liitle barbs did to her too. I have since put Molly in a little seperation tank within the tank so they cant nip at her and so she can recover.

^i had barbs, 3, and they were always aggressive, because they need to be in bigger groups.

How many more do you think i should get I have 4 at the momen 2 green 2 Tiger.

I missed the fact that she had a different tank for the tropicals. I saw where shesaid that the barbs jumped out but didn't realize that she had lost them. I assumed that she had put them back in.I also didn't mention in my first post that you need to keep a very close eye on the fish for signs of disease. With the molly being as stressed as it is, you could see an outbreak of white spot as it seems to alwys be triggered by stress.

I checked the tank today and Molly has furry white stuff on her tail what should I do (she is in a seperator within the tank so the other barbs cant nip at her)

 

[rdd1952]

40l isn't big enough for the barbs. As mentioned, they should be kept in groups of 6 or more and 10 gallon isn't large enough for that. A more important issue would be whether you are cycled or not. How long has the tank been running and do you have a test kit to test ammonia and nitrite?

Both ammonia and nitrite are toxic and can/will kill your fish. Ammonia comes from fish waste and is also emitted through their gills. Eventually bacteria will form that will transform the ammonia into nitrite. A different bacteria will then transform the nitrite to nitrate which can be removed with weekly water changes. It uually takes 3 to 6 weeks for this process to take place and for enough bacteria to develop to keep the ammonia and nitriteat zero. Until that happens, you should be testing ammonia and nitrite daily and doing partial water changes to keep the toxins as low as possible.

Last but nott least, the white stuff on the molly is some type fungusr disease. I am totally clueless when it comes to diseases so you may want to post in the Emergency section to get some help. I do know that diseases can be brought on by stress which is caused by harassment such as the barb and the molly or more commonly, poor water conditions (high ammonia and nitrite)