New Tiger barbs in tank

[LurkerMom]

Yesterday I got 8 little green tiger barbs in my 32 gallons.
Only other fish in it is a 4 years old and grumpy rainbow shark.

I read that they can both coexist in a tank, especially if the barbs are in a group.
I'm not planning to add anything else for a while until everything is stable.

Now I'm wondering if there's anything I can do to help them settle in their new environment?

I have trouble reading my PH, I think it's around 7.5 but as I said, I'm really not sure so I'm worried it could be higher... ((I need to get easier to read tests!))

This morning they were all alive and seemed well and ate.

Again, any advices and tips are welcomed!

[genocidex]

if you can, keep the lights off for the first few days, it will calm them down. but other than that tbs are super resilient fish and they should be fine. you might want to add another 6 or so when you can. the bigger the school the less problems you will have

[LurkerMom]

wow? wont that overcrowd my tank?
I already have a 4-5 inch Rainbow shark
I mean, I doubt all my barbs will survive the stress and whatever can happen when in a new environment (I always end up losing a couple when I buy fishes -_-;) even with being careful.

How much would be too much?

Assuming eventually I want to get a center piece fish too

[Byron]

I would not add any other species to what you have, in a 32g tank. The reason genocidex suggested adding a few more is the3 inherent behaviour of this species (Tiger Barb). They can tend to get nippy with each other in small groups. Most sources now suggest no fewer than 8, with 12+ being safer. A 30g tank is minimum for this group, with no other species. However, if you do add more, do it sooner rather than later. Once the existing fish have settled in and formed their heirarchy within the group of 8, new additions might not be so welcome.

Which brings me to the shark. I would think it will be OK, but there is the slight chance that it might take a dislike to the barbs. But if not, fine.

Byron.

[LurkerMom]

yea the shark was there long before the barbs.
should I get barbs soon so they settle a hierarchy? I don't mind getting 4 mores and making the group the ''center piece'' either.

So far, Sharky stays in his cave, but that's not new. I haven't seen him harass anyone so far. But I only put them yesterday evening, and I work during the day. My roommate told me they were all alive, active and sharky didn't go out yet.

Should I feed them twice a day? once a day? I usually fed him once every two days, once a day he just left the food there and it made gross little balls.

I might check if I need to feed him more ''sinking'' food now as the barbs are so veracious (I love it!) but he wont get much o.0;

[Byron]

yea the shark was there long before the barbs.
should I get barbs soon so they settle a hierarchy? I don't mind getting 4 mores and making the group the ''center piece'' either.

So far, Sharky stays in his cave, but that's not new. I haven't seen him harass anyone so far. But I only put them yesterday evening, and I work during the day. My roommate told me they were all alive, active and sharky didn't go out yet.

Should I feed them twice a day? once a day? I usually fed him once every two days, once a day he just left the food there and it made gross little balls.

I might check if I need to feed him more ''sinking'' food now as the barbs are so veracious (I love it!) but he wont get much o.0;

I would add the additional barbs now.

Feeding once a day is sufficient for the barbs when settled, and you can skip water change day (fish should not be fed prior to any disruption in the tank). As for the shark, sinking foods are fine. If the barb eat this before the shark can, feed the sinking food well after darkness.

Byron.