Schooling behaviour question

[swozzie]

I have 4 x Red Line Torpedo Barbs. They were in a tank with 1 Rainbow Shark who constantly chased them (and did some minor fin damage) so I have moved him. Since then, the biggest of the barbs has started behaving differently to the other 3.

When they are just schooling about, he is constantly trying to nudge them. It's doesn't look aggresive and they don't seem to mind, they just dart away an inch or so then carry on schooling about. Is this because he is the biggest and is asserting some authority over them or do you think it's a male/female thing?

 

[tstenback]

I would say it is a dominance thing. With the outside danger gone the large barb is asserting itself as head of the pecking order in the school. HTH

 

[Nina7777]

tstenback Posted on May 18 2004, 07:47 AM
I would say it is a dominance thing. With the outside danger gone the large barb is asserting itself as head of the pecking order in the school. HTH

Couldn't agree more with this statement.

Definately trying to establish the order!