Odessa

[Kriblover]

I recently got 6 Odessa Barbs from the lfs and I've got some questions about them. Is 6 enough? What are they like? What do they like? Also they aren't staying in a school much. Thanks.

[fwaming_dwagon]

Hi, I just bought four odessa barbs about five days ago. mine are very active, i keep them in a community tank with a few bala (silver) sharks, rainbow shark, rasboras, congo tetras and a siamese algae eater. the odessas are friendly, but seem to rule the tank when it comes to feeding time, they go ape when i give them blood worms and brine shrimp but seem to stay away from the flake food? also in reply to what they like, mine absolutely love swimming in and out of the many plants i have in my tank, and sometimes have a little nibble on the leaves or leftovers from feeding. they prefer low light levels also, as bright lights and sudden movements make them skittish and shy. if the water quality is bad they will also hide away. i dont know what your tank is like, but if its an ideal habitat for odessa barbs maybe they are used to being in a larger school of fish than you have? my ones are fine because there were only 5 of them in the store, i left one behind because it was much larger than the others :P hope i helped :)

[imma24]

I recently got 6 Odessa Barbs from the lfs and I've got some questions about them. Is 6 enough? What are they like? What do they like? Also they aren't staying in a school much. Thanks.

According to what I read on this forum, they do better in larger groups. If they are feeling safe they won't necessarily school together - that's usually when they're feeling threatened by something.

Also, they grow up to 4 inches - how big is your tank?

[icefreeze57]

seems like they are semi-agreesive based on what Flame's tank

whats with them? tank size?

[icefreeze57]

also seems like they like cold water: http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/barbs/odessabarb.php

[Deonne]

I have 3 odessas with 3 rhambo barbs, they all school together and seem happy.

What the above poster said is true about them dominating feeding time.