Tiger Barb Behavior

[Steve H.]

My wife recently bought a 10gal tank for our 4 year old thinking this would be just something to throw a gold fish in, and change ever time it croaked....little did she know that she was throwing me into this hobby that is becoming an obsession of epic supernerd proportions. Needless to say I'm really digging it!
After getting the tank to cycle and water stabilized I decided small school of 6 Tiger Barbs would be a good start for a novice like me. Plus they were cool to watch at the store.
We got them in their new home, and for the first 3-4 days they traveled the tank in a school all together, and chased each other around but nothing to serious.
However, now just past the 1week mark I have a bully in the tank displaying his dominance. The second smallest fish in there by the way. He patrols and circles the center of the tank constantly herding the 5 others into the corner of the tank crammed around the heater and filter intake. Although I find this behavior interesting and curious to watch it does leave me feeling bad for the other terrorized tank mates.

So, I guess my question is should I actually be worried about this?
Or, will one of the others eventually step up and challenge this little bully?

Thanks for any comments.

 

[creeker]

Most likely the bullying will continue and get worse. Tiger Barbs are very active shoaling fish that need a lot of room to swim around, and lots of other Tiger Barbs around so the inevitable aggression is spread around over many fish. The problem is in a ten gallon tank, there is not enough room for more fish and not enough room for any to escape the aggressor. If you remove the aggressive one, another will probably take his place. There are other Barbs that would go fine in there instead, Cherry Barb for one. Tiger Barbs are known for their aggressiveness, especially in small numbers. It's not their fault, they are designed to be in big shoals.

 

[Steve H.]

Thanks!
Hmmm...now that's a bummer. The research I did prior to purchasing these little guys led me to believe because of their aggression level they would be fine in a group of 6 or more. And, stated that my tank dimensions were appropriate. Although the dimensions were the minimal for supporting this breed of fish.
Tough lesson because both my son and I enjoy them because of their high activity levels.
Just when you get attached...

 

[KISSfn]

Unfortunately minimum tank dimensions for Tiger Barbs is 36"X12"X12". Before I increased my group I was in a very similar situation. My smallest Tiger claimed the entire left side of the tank his own. He was on constant patrol and if any other Tiger invaded his side he chased them back to the far right side! I wanted to give him a mirror so he could see how small he was! After adding more fish peace has returned and everyone gets along swimmingly!

 

[Tizer]

How did you cycle the tank / filter and how did you know the water was ready? Sounds to me like you just filled it up, turned on the filter and maybe got the water checked at your local fish shop, but i might be wrong?

If however, i am right, then you need to read the beginners section on how to correctly cycle a filter or all your fish will keel over and die very soon.

Tiger barbs are excellent fish, but because they are agressive you wont be able to experiment with many other fish and with them being in cramped conditions they will not be able to behave naturally. Agression will be a lot worse and fish may even die as they have nowhere to escape to. Possibly the worst "beginners" fish you could pick

 

[Steve H.]

@ Tizer
When my wife bright this aquarium home she did buy a 27 cent gold fish filled it up and just dropped it in...of course it did not make it. And, that's when I took this over.
Tank cycled for 5 weeks before water chemistry stabilized. Monitored and changed the water as it went through both an ammonia spike then the nitrite spike and when I had some nitrates present I felt the nitrogen cycle had started. Checked the water chemistry myself and then had them double check at the store because I was worried about ph level of 8.6, and did not want to start manipulating it toward being more acidic to possibly find there to be a buffer in the water.
In those 5 weeks I had plenty of time to read various "how to's" and found that the 10gal tank my wife bought because it was "small" was filled with difficulties for a beginner from both the stocking standpoint and maintenance of water chemistry....but I do like a challenge.
I read several sites with stocking suggestions for a 10gL tank. When local pet store did not have species I was looking for I started over by seeing what they had I then reserching what was available. The Barbs seemed like a good fit at the time. Their size and ability to survive the bio load for the tank size(or lack there of). Even though I knew I would not be able to have any other fish in such a small tank, and the 6 barbs would be the max number the tank would sustain.
So, while I am a beginner to this hobby, and possibly chosen the wrong species to start with, I do do my homework.
Since, my question was should I be worried about this behavior? And your response post was wether I knew if my tank was cycled or not, and that Tiger Barbs are the worst choice for a beginner fish which offers me zero viable information
Uhhhh....I guess thanks for the condisending criticisism

 

[Louiseness]

Since, my question was should I be worried about this behavior? And your response post was wether I knew if my tank was cycled or not, and that Tiger Barbs are the worst choice for a beginner fish which offers me zero viable information
Uhhhh....I guess thanks for the condisending criticisism

Actually, Tizer did answer your question:

Tiger barbs are excellent fish, but because they are agressive you wont be able to experiment with many other fish and with them being in cramped conditions they will not be able to behave naturally. Agression will be a lot worse and fish may even die as they have nowhere to escape to.

I'd say that if it's been suggested (not just by Tizer) that your fishes' aggression will worsen and probably end in deaths, then yes, you should be worried about the behaviour. I've had fish die from being constantly harassed before, so personally I agree. I've had to rehome fish whose behaviour was stressing out their tankmates and causing them to hide, and in this situation I'd suggest you do the same. There are quite a few widely available, attractive, interesting small fish much more suitable for a ten gallon.

 

[Steve H.]

@ kissfn
Thank you. I was hoping that this was not unusual behavior. Unfortunately, I am handcuffed by my tank size at this time.
Maybe Santa will bring a 40-55 gallon tank for xmas, and I will be able to add more to restore balance.

 

[Tizer]

@ Tizer
When my wife bright this aquarium home she did buy a 27 cent gold fish filled it up and just dropped it in...of course it did not make it. And, that's when I took this over.
Tank cycled for 5 weeks before water chemistry stabilized. Monitored and changed the water as it went through both an ammonia spike then the nitrite spike and when I had some nitrates present I felt the nitrogen cycle had started. Checked the water chemistry myself and then had them double check at the store because I was worried about ph level of 8.6, and did not want to start manipulating it toward being more acidic to possibly find there to be a buffer in the water.
In those 5 weeks I had plenty of time to read various "how to's" and found that the 10gal tank my wife bought because it was "small" was filled with difficulties for a beginner from both the stocking standpoint and maintenance of water chemistry....but I do like a challenge.
I read several sites with stocking suggestions for a 10gL tank. When local pet store did not have species I was looking for I started over by seeing what they had I then reserching what was available. The Barbs seemed like a good fit at the time. Their size and ability to survive the bio load for the tank size(or lack there of). Even though I knew I would not be able to have any other fish in such a small tank, and the 6 barbs would be the max number the tank would sustain.
So, while I am a beginner to this hobby, and possibly chosen the wrong species to start with, I do do my homework.
Since, my question was should I be worried about this behavior? And your response post was wether I knew if my tank was cycled or not, and that Tiger Barbs are the worst choice for a beginner fish which offers me zero viable information
Uhhhh....I guess thanks for the condisending criticisism

"condisending criticisism"

wow

My last paragraph still stands, thats about as viable as it gets. Tank too small, end of.

Have you taken water readings today?

 

[creeker]

Steve, I am impressed that you did the research and did what was necessary for a "fish in" cycle. Very few people "get" that on their own. If I were you I'd see if the local fish shop will trade in your Tiger Barbs for a less aggressive, less energetic species. You might consider some male livebearers, such as guppies and platies. Very colorful, and usually don't pick on each other. No guarantees on that though, I have had the occasional odd aggressive individual pop up in different species over the years. Just way less likely than with the known nippers. I say male because they breed like crazy and I don't think you need that. It's cool that you're getting so into it already! I predict many more tanks in your future. By the way, one of my first fish many years ago was a Tiger Barb (yeah, I bought one!) that I had to return because he was traumatizing my other fish in a ten gallon tank.

 

[KISSfn]

@ kissfn
Thank you. I was hoping that this was not unusual behavior. Unfortunately, I am handcuffed by my tank size at this time.
Maybe Santa will bring a 40-55 gallon tank for xmas, and I will be able to add more to restore balance.

You're very welcome Steve. I feel that accepted and common knowledge of keeping fish is all wrong. Everybody, except people who do research, believes you buy a tank, fill it with water, run the filter a few days and you're ready for fish. Also a smaller tank will be easier, not true. I've been there. Most of the people here have been there. And my very first fish were Tiger Barbs too. Hang in there and keep asking questions. 99% of the people here are great.

 

[Steve H.]

@ Tizer
I take water readings everyday, and do a 20-25% water change every other. I have to watch it closely right now because I added a lot of fish at once, and I need to keep ammonia and nitrite level in check until the tank adjusts to the new bio load.

 

[Steve H.]

@ creeker
Thanks for the encouragement. Yep! I'm totally hooked! No pun intended. Aquariums were a big hobby my
father was into, and a great memory I have of him from when I was about my son's age. He even had a huge koi pond I helped him build the backyard about 10 years ago. I am pretty sure he offered me his 75 gal tank and stand before he passed, but at the time I probably told him I don't need that taking up space in my garage. Kicking myself now.
I do see more tanks in my future as well. I have my eye on a 40gl that I plan to move the Barbs to when I can. But I have to wait for my wife to get over the sticker shock she got when her $45 purchase quickly became $170 and climbing after I took over and got all the necessities
And, I think she might drop dead if I ever graduate to setting up the 75-90 gallon reef tank I can't get out of my head...
I will see if the store will trade out my fish...they should its Petsmart. Totally corporate.
Thanks again!

 

[Steve H.]

@ creeker and @kissfn

Just wanted to update you that I had an idea that seems to help...not a solution to the aggression of my little bully, but it helped give the other 5 a little more breathing room.

I had a small rock formation that I had originally placed dead center of the tank. The aggressor patrols it circles around it an through it keeping the others herded to only 1/4 of the tank.
I moved that formation all the way as far as I could to the left side of the tank, and reset the plants and moss balls to provide as much coverage as I could from the center of the tank to the right. Not as visually appealing for humans, but its about the health of the fish now.
As I had hoped the bully moved with the rock, thus freeing up 3/4 of the tank for the other 5 fish. He still will Chase after them if they approach his area, but he doesn't seem to be able to herd them into a corner like a Border Collie anymore because of the added length.
Hopefully this buys me some time until I can get a new tank big enough for them

Thanks for the inspiration!

 

[Steve H.]

Another interesting note I just noticed. When the tank light is off...they're all buddies swimming around together.
Weird?