Tiger Barbs Stopped schooling?

**ddavis1979** · 10-13-2012, 09:21 PM

Observing some odd behavior. . . but everything is still very new to me so let me know if this is normal.

55 gal tank, 48x21x13. I started off with 6 barbs, 6 tetras, and 2 corydoras.

The barbs schooled pretty closely together but were very aggressive and nippy at the cories. So I added 4 more and within 24 hours all was pretty peaceful in the tank.

However, when i came downstairs after the over night in the tank, the barbs had stopped schooling. Everything seems healthy and happy, but they were spread out all over the tank. I have witness a few nippy fights among themselves (I assume figuring out the leader of the pack). They still school together some when spooked by me walking by, but most of the day they continue to spread out all over the tank?

Any thoughts?

**Lady Hobbs** · 10-14-2012, 01:00 AM

Schooling fish only school when stressed out. Them spreading out is a good sign.

**imma24** · 10-14-2012, 01:51 AM

+1 - my neons spread out all over the tank all the time - I rarely see them as a group - they only tend to huddle together at night when the lights are out.

**steeler1** · 10-15-2012, 05:51 AM

Tiger Barbs are odd, kind of like pit bulls in their disposition. They were the second fish I ever kept. My Mom bought a pair of them (1970 the man at sprouse and ritz suggested that all fish be bought in prs LOL) and two Bronze Cories and I never had a problem, belive it or not with them, even after adding 4 angelfish.

Years later when tried a school of six they chased and harrased everybody in the tank Needless to say I gave them away and have never kept them again.

**Lady Hobbs** · 10-15-2012, 03:51 PM

Tiger Barbs are nice kept in a tank to themselves as they tend to be fin nippers and are aggressive. The larger the school, the better they are. Not sure how the tetra's will fair with them. I'd rather see Tiger Barbs, Albino Barbs, Green Barbs and Rosie Barbs together rather than Tigers and tetra's.

You might consider making this a specie only tank.

**steeler1** · 10-15-2012, 08:00 PM

I do like your video.

**escamosa** · 10-15-2012, 08:03 PM

I agree with Hobbsy. There is a chance that you may never have any trouble between the Barbs and the Tetras, but concidering the size that the Tigers can grow to, and their temperament, keeping smaller more peaceful Tetras with them can sometimes be not such a good idea. Larger Tetras with a similar temperament, such as Buenos Aires would be the ideal Tetra to attempt to have in with Tigers.

If a Barb tank, like Hobbsy has suggested, isn't what you would like to do, then I would increase the school of Black Neons to at least 12, and because the Corys have been picked on, I would increase their number to at least 6. Corys are also a schooling species.

**Corvette73** · 04-03-2013, 12:08 AM

I had the same thing happen in mine. Perfectly normal

**talldutchie** · 04-03-2013, 03:54 AM

Originally Posted by escamosa

I agree with Hobbsy. There is a chance that you may never have any trouble between the Barbs and the Tetras, but concidering the size that the Tigers can grow to, and their temperament, keeping smaller more peaceful Tetras with them can sometimes be not such a good idea. Larger Tetras with a similar temperament, such as Buenos Aires would be the ideal Tetra to attempt to have in with Tigers.

That has been mentioned quite a few times before.

@ddavis: Quite normal behaviour