Damn tiger barbs

[jaysee]

Yesterday I noticed the tigers nipping at the corys, and today my 10 tiger barbs have decided to coral all of the corys and kuhlis inside the coliseum. Looks like they are patroling the perimeter waiting for someone to pop their head out.:scry: So, I think I'll have to throw the tigers in the bare 55, leaving the corys and loaches in the 29 since it's got that nice sand they love so much. Then later I'll switch them....

[Dave66]

Tiger barbs have too much 'let's play' in them for real peace unless you keep them in larger schools. So many better barb species that'd be far more likable in a group of 10 like you have.

Dave

[jaysee]

I'm not opposed to getting more, but I thought 10 was enough to keep them occupied.

[Dave66]

Tigers are infamous for picking at slow or long-finned fish. If you've space to add another dozen Tigers, they'd be a lot more civil, but still, if it's slow or long-finned they may still pick at them. Be 50-50 really if whether more Tiger Barbs would solve your problem. It often does, but fish are like people, all are different.

Next time, get a similar group of checker or gold barbs for your tank. Better looking than Tigers, and a good deal more mannerly.

Dave

[jaysee]

I like the tigers and initially was going to keep them in a species tank. They were fine for a while when I bumped the numbers up from 6 to 10. I'm not trying to fit them into a community style tank, just trying to fit something in with them.

My plan will be to move the tigers to the 20L when I add the substrate to the 55, then move the corys and loaches to the 55, move the crayfish from the 30 to the 29, then re-introduce the tigers to the 29.

[DrNic]

I love the look of tiger barbs but I've had the same issues. They can be REAL terrors.

I hope you can figure out a way to fix the problem!

[Nitrous Cobra]

I've had a medium severum and some corys in a 55g with tiger barbs for almost 2 yrs and they can care less bout anyone else other than themselves. I know they have a reputation it's just funny how sometimes it can be the total opposite in some cases.

[mac]

In this case it is more size is the matter.

IMO Tiger Barbs are great fish. Best suited to tank with there own kind.
No real point in trying to fit anything in with them. Just a species only tank.

mac

[frank_zappa]

as well as adding to the school, you may also try rearranging your tank some. move some of the decor and this will throw them off somewhat and make them spend time reestablishing their area...

im not sure how long it would work for or if it would work at all; it may just be a temporary fix. it is for sure something to consider doing when adding new fish to a tank with tiger barbs in it. it gives the new fish some time to adjust before being harassed by the tb's

[PostalPenguin]

In this case it is more size is the matter.

IMO Tiger Barbs are great fish. Best suited to tank with there own kind.
No real point in trying to fit anything in with them. Just a species only tank.

mac

I agree. Tigers have lots of energy and want to "play" with anything and everything that moves. If other fish dont respond in kind, the tigers may keep pestering the fish trying to get it to play. They are also very curious and will investigate thoroughly anything unfamiliar to them.

My tigers get along great with my oto and even try to school with it when the oto swims around the tank.

[frank_zappa]

i am not sure why this is, but i read in several different sources, that it is best to keep tiger barbs in odd-numbered schools, that they do better. i saw your school went from 6 to 10. i am not sure why an odd-numbered school is advised though, or if others have found that to be true, or if it would have any effect on their aggression at all. perhaps somebody else has heard that as well and can comment on it?

[jaysee]

I'm going to get three more, but am not going to try any other fish with them. I will try the crayfish again, now that he's bigger. This time the crayfish will go in first and the tiger barbs later.