Need Help Bringing Balance To Our Tank

[tjkubiak]

We have a 55 gallon tank and currently have a bala shark, a silver dollar, and a tinfoil barb. The silver dollar is a major agressor, the bala does fine with him but our tin foil barb has been confined to the corner of our tank behind a plant. He hasn't grown in size at all and everytime he tries to venture out the silver dollar chases him. Does anyone know if there is another fish we could add to the tank that would help balance it out a bit? We have thought about adding two more barbs but we would be pushing our limits with the real estate and I've also read that barbs should really be in schools of 5, which we obviously can't do. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated!
 
Tanya K

 

[Mikey1]

your tank is already overstocked.....do not add anymore fish....in fact, i would highly suggest finding a new home for all of your fish....your tank is too small for any of them.....
 
silver dollars, bala sharks, and tinfoil barbs are all shoaling/schooling fish.....they need to be kept in a group of at least 6....6 of any one type of the fish you listed would require a minimum 100 gallon tank preferably 6 feet long as they are all very active swimmers....
 
silver dollars, bala sharks, and tinfoil barbs will get severely stressed out and nervous when kept alone, which is exactly what is happening to yours.....
 
i have 6 bala sharks, 6 tinfoil barbs, and 6 silver dollars in a 180 gallon tank, and even with a 180 i feel they are getting cramped

 

[Lunar Jetman]

I have to agree with Mikey1. Your LFS may let you exchange them for something more suitable and on the plus side you'd get a blank canvas to start again.

 

[tjkubiak]

Unfortunately, our LFS is what got us into this mess It's very hard to find someone that really knows what they're talking about. We were told nothing about the silver dollar and Bala being schoolers. We were also told that our current mix would be fine together since they are all somewhat aggressive.

 

[Mikey1]

where do u live?
 
i would gladly take all three!

 

[eaglesaquarium]

Unfortunately, our LFS is what got us into this mess

It's very hard to find someone that really knows what they're talking about. We were told nothing about the silver dollar and Bala being schoolers. We were also told that our current mix would be fine together since they are all somewhat aggressive.

 
 
Many aggressive fish can be fine together, but they still need to be kept in proper conditions - proper sized tank, proper sized shoals, etc.  Unfortunately, as you say, you have not been given proper advice for these fish.

 

[tjkubiak]

Mikey1, we are in Buffalo Grove, IL

 

[CezzaXV]

It's probably still worth asking your LFS if they will take them back, especially if you tell them what terrible advice you were given.

 

[This Old Spouse]

+1
 
And then never, ever, ever take advice from an LFS. Ever.

 

[eaglesaquarium]

No need to be dogmatic TOS.   But seriously, don't trust the LFS.  Do your own research and take everything they tell you with a grain of salt.

 

[This Old Spouse]

Dogmatic I may be, but I've found that even my "trusted" LFS has steered me wrong on occasion.
 
The single piece of advice I'd give any beginning fishkeeper is to research everything before you purchase anything. 

 

[eaglesaquarium]

Dogmatic I may be, but I've found that even my "trusted" LFS has steered me wrong on occasion.
 
The single piece of advice I'd give any beginning fishkeeper is to research everything before you purchase anything. 

 
 
I agree with that, but unfortunately, more beginner fishkeepers go to the LFS as their research rather than seeking out alternative sources.  The internet is FULL of great resources for researching fish, and lots of databases to go through. 

 

[DreamertK]

I research before I buy, and then test out the employees at my LFS. They've gotten a surprising amount correct, and even knew better than one of the signs they put up.
 
Good luck returning the fish. Maybe you'd be interested in a (breeding) pair of angels and some smaller fish? Or maybe a 6 pack of cories?

 

[Mikey1]

you have to remember that fish stores are a BUSINESS....businesses make money buy SALES....so of course they are going to tell you anything to get you to open up your wallet or purse

 

[eaglesaquarium]

I'm not blaming them.  They are trying to stay in business.  Those business have employees and those employees have to live and provide for their families.  But, it is the responsibility of the pet owner to do what's right.
 
 
But, we can't be too forgiving of some of the practices of SOME (I'm not condemning all here) in how they treat their fish and the advice they give.  Puppy mills are illegal for a reason.  Fish get less of a fair shake when it comes to treatment than animals with fur - unless you are a mouse or rat, in which case you are food for a snake or something.