New Alpha Barb?

[Stooob]

I have always had one main 'alpha' male out of my 9 tiger barbs. He has always been the biggest, most colorful and most aggressive out of them all. I have noticed the last 2 days he has been looking really off colored and pale and has been separating himself from the pack. After more observation I have noticed one of my other males seems a lot larger and colorful and seems to be a lot more aggressive, taking the exact same temperament as the other barb.

Could one of my younger male barbs now be fully matured and have moved up in the heir-achy? is this even possible?

I have tested all water and parameters are spot on. No sign of disease or damage.

[madagascariensis]

lots of schooling cyprinids certainly fight amongst themselves to establish dominance.
I wouldn't be surprised if the behavior you are observing is the result of a shift in dominance.

[jaysee]

That's exactly what it is, and is normal. I wouldn't be surprised if the old alpha is ejected from the school, which is the beginning of a long slow death. That's been my experience with them.

[Stooob]

That's exactly what it is, and is normal. I wouldn't be surprised if the old alpha is ejected from the school, which is the beginning of a long slow death. That's been my experience with them.

Wow unbelievable!

He is back into the school and has returned some colour but is now half the man he was! Lol.

The school seems very passive at the moment, not much activity or aggression.