Barbs Are Crazy - Please Advise

[I Love my fishies]

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)

I do have a test kit.... the tank has been set up for 3 weeks and now rather than checking levels weekly I will do them daily I will keep the remaining for barbs for the moment then go and get a bigger tank and get more barbs then. What size tank (in L) do you suggest?

I will post in emergency section Thankyou

 

[rdd1952]

Barbs are rather active fish and need room. For a school of 6 you probably need at least 20 gallons nd preferably 30 gallons just to give them enough swimming room. Actually, you could put more than 6 in it but that is really the minimum number you should keep together as the larger schools ease the aggression some. I'm certanly not a barb expert so I can't really suggest any tank mates for them. From what I've read, they don't really get along very well with anything. You could make it a species tank and just keep a school of about 10 in a 20 gallon and 15 to 20 in a 30 gallon, maybe a few more if you have extra filtration.

 

[I Love my fishies]

Barbs are rather active fish and need room. For a school of 6 you probably need at least 20 gallons nd preferably 30 gallons just to give them enough swimming room. Actually, you could put more than 6 in it but that is really the minimum number you should keep together as the larger schools ease the aggression some. I'm certanly not a barb expert so I can't really suggest any tank mates for them. From what I've read, they don't really get along very well with anything. You could make it a species tank and just keep a school of about 10 in a 20 gallon and 15 to 20 in a 30 gallon, maybe a few more if you have extra filtration.

I have found a nice 75 litre tank for my Barbs how long should I have the tank set up before I put my Barbs in (in relation to cycling)

 

[-germ-]

Click the "please do a fishless cycle" link in RDD1952s signature, this'll explain all you need to know.
Edit; Just to clarify why you need to do a fishless cycle, leaving the tank standing won't make any difference to it, if not cycling the tank correctly, you may as well just put the fish in straight away.
However fish that undergo a cycle are likely to (a) die (b)have health issues if they suvive ©be severley weakened by it long term.
Its frustrating and requires patience but well worth the effort long term.
Theres loads of posters on this site who have had fish die due to fish in cycle, IMO it isn't worth the risk unless you really know what your doing and have nothing better to do, but change water all day.

 

[I Love my fishies]

Click the "please do a fishless cycle" link in RDD1952s signature, this'll explain all you need to know.Edit; Just to clarify why you need to do a fishless cycle, leaving the tank standing won't make any difference to it, if not cycling the tank correctly, you may as well just put the fish in straight away. However fish that undergo a cycle are likely to (a) die (b)have health issues if they suvive ©be severley weakened by it long term. Its frustrating and requires patience but well worth the effort long term.Theres loads of posters on this site who have had fish die due to fish in cycle, IMO it isn't worth the risk unless you really know what your doing and have nothing better to do, but change water all day.

How do I find the link? ... I am very new to this forum

Click the "please do a fishless cycle" link in RDD1952s signature, this'll explain all you need to know.Edit; Just to clarify why you need to do a fishless cycle, leaving the tank standing won't make any difference to it, if not cycling the tank correctly, you may as well just put the fish in straight away. However fish that undergo a cycle are likely to (a) die (b)have health issues if they suvive ©be severley weakened by it long term. Its frustrating and requires patience but well worth the effort long term.Theres loads of posters on this site who have had fish die due to fish in cycle, IMO it isn't worth the risk unless you really know what your doing and have nothing better to do, but change water all day.

I now have a 4 foot tank yay!!!! so I will have to get straight onto the fishless cycling

 

[-germ-]

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=113861

No probs, just click the link above^

For the future if you look under peoples posts you (should, unless sigs are turned off) see things like this, well fairly similar;

Albert Camus; To will is to stir up paradoxes. Everything is ordered in such a way as to bring into being that poisoned peace produced by thoughtlessness, lack of heart, or fatal renunciations.​

(branjie @ Jul 20 2007, 01:57 PM)
germ, you're such a prophet of doom.

My fish pics;Hillstream Loaches Gourami LittleCatfish Other links; Hillstream loach info DGIV info+links ER cut+paste
Gourami ID thread-> Me, me , me!!! Pictures required! Please PM me.....

Too much effort to recreate it exactly but the underlined bits in sigs are generally links, if you click them they'll take you to erm.... whatever they are linked to.

 

[I Love my fishies]

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=113861

No probs, just click the link above^

For the future if you look under peoples posts you (should, unless sigs are turned off) see things like this, well fairly similar;

Albert Camus; To will is to stir up paradoxes. Everything is ordered in such a way as to bring into being that poisoned peace produced by thoughtlessness, lack of heart, or fatal renunciations.​

(branjie @ Jul 20 2007, 01:57 PM)
germ, you're such a prophet of doom.

My fish pics;Hillstream Loaches Gourami LittleCatfish Other links; Hillstream loach info DGIV info+links ER cut+paste
Gourami ID thread-> Me, me , me!!! Pictures required! Please PM me.....

Too much effort to recreate it exactly but the underlined bits in sigs are generally links, if you click them they'll take you to erm.... whatever they are linked to.

Thanks Germ you have been a great help