Why Are Some Fish More Appatizing Than Others?

[balashark]

I added 5 Black Ruby Barbs to my community tank today and my Bala Shark went nuts trying to eat them but he's too big and clumsy in the plants to catch them. I threw in some shrimp pellets to tide him over for awhile and he hasn't done it since.

So my queston is why them? I know big fish will try and eat little fish but i have cherry barbs in the tank smaller than the rubys and hes never gone after them. My neon tetras were a tasty treat for him when i went on vacation and the auto feeder didn't dispense enough shrimp for him. They seem to be another appetizing breed. I have a black neon though who has been around for years and has never been chased.

I guess it's because of the colours. The ruby barbs are still little so they dont have the red yet but their distinctive markings (like tiger barbs) may be what triggers the attacks.

The rubys have a big appetite so hopefully they grow quickly enough to join the likes of my gold barbs who have no problem being 2 inches long.

Anyone else notice this too?

 

[shelaghfishface]

aww he looks so innocent too they will eat anything that can fit in there mouths, just like most other fish.. are you keeping him on his own? they need to be in groups of at least 3/4, i have had one in the past as a beginner but as soon as i added a few more the main man was so much happier his whole attitude changed for the better

 

[balashark]

haha, that's not him in the picture. Auto is about 7 inches now. He has 2 other balas with him, not quite as big but getting there. But that's just my point, his mouth could easily eat some of the fish in my tank but he doesn't however certain fish he just goes nuts over.