lahlumdi
01-24-2008, 07:39 PM
My tank has had the same number of fish for awhile. 1 Beta, 11 Neons, 7 Rummy Nose tetras and 4 Corys. I was going to add 1 Panda Cory. However the German pet store I frequent didn't think that was a good idea. She convinced me to get 4-5 more of another school. I THOUGHT these were tetras. Now that I study it, I find out they are Tiger Barbs. (Language barrier - I don't speak or read German - they just tell me - these are peaceful fish that will be compatible with your other ones).
It was fascinating watching these 4 Tiger Barbs get introduced into my well established tank.
Immediately the Tiger Barbs tried to school with the Rummy Noses. At first I thought it was cute. I know Rummy Noses like schools and hoped they would make a nice big school. Then I realized the Rummy Noses were upset. They kept going around and round in circles trying frantically to escape from those Tiger Barbs. One Barb, the littlest one, would get behind and they'd lose him. He'd look confused. Then rejoice and catch up with everyone else again. And the Rummy Noses would dive and hide in the weeds and take off again.
The neons who have established territory near the top left corner looked on all of this mildly amused. They'd get out of the way when it got too excited.
My Beta who ignores everyone else went into hiding under the plants, and kept peeking out at the action. The Cories seemed oblivious and just did their own thing.
The next morning I discovered a fascinating thing, which has remained true ever since.
All the previous fish are back at their usual station with their usual activity. The Neons in the upper third on the left. The Rummy Noses have claimed the entire front corridor in the lower third. The Beta loves to hover around the thermometer and branches out from there as he pleases. The Corys happily fiend for themselves along the bottom and occasionally Mr. Salmon race up the stream of the filter.
And the Barbs... the just dart back and forth along the mid level of the back whipping in and out of my plants along the back and swooping through the stream of the filter. They seem to be thrilled to have found their own space.
It is so curious to me that each bunch of fish enjoys being with their own kind and has found their own space.
Had I researched the Tiger Barbs, I don't know that I would have added them... as I have since read they are rather agrressive in the tank compared to the others. On the other hand, they are fascinating to watch. The rest of the fish seem to have adjusted to having them around.
On occasion I feel like the need a stop light to establish the traffic patterns!
I am always fascinated at watching the new fish react to their new home.
It was fascinating watching these 4 Tiger Barbs get introduced into my well established tank.
Immediately the Tiger Barbs tried to school with the Rummy Noses. At first I thought it was cute. I know Rummy Noses like schools and hoped they would make a nice big school. Then I realized the Rummy Noses were upset. They kept going around and round in circles trying frantically to escape from those Tiger Barbs. One Barb, the littlest one, would get behind and they'd lose him. He'd look confused. Then rejoice and catch up with everyone else again. And the Rummy Noses would dive and hide in the weeds and take off again.
The neons who have established territory near the top left corner looked on all of this mildly amused. They'd get out of the way when it got too excited.
My Beta who ignores everyone else went into hiding under the plants, and kept peeking out at the action. The Cories seemed oblivious and just did their own thing.
The next morning I discovered a fascinating thing, which has remained true ever since.
All the previous fish are back at their usual station with their usual activity. The Neons in the upper third on the left. The Rummy Noses have claimed the entire front corridor in the lower third. The Beta loves to hover around the thermometer and branches out from there as he pleases. The Corys happily fiend for themselves along the bottom and occasionally Mr. Salmon race up the stream of the filter.
And the Barbs... the just dart back and forth along the mid level of the back whipping in and out of my plants along the back and swooping through the stream of the filter. They seem to be thrilled to have found their own space.
It is so curious to me that each bunch of fish enjoys being with their own kind and has found their own space.
Had I researched the Tiger Barbs, I don't know that I would have added them... as I have since read they are rather agrressive in the tank compared to the others. On the other hand, they are fascinating to watch. The rest of the fish seem to have adjusted to having them around.
On occasion I feel like the need a stop light to establish the traffic patterns!
I am always fascinated at watching the new fish react to their new home.