my fish problem.....i think

Mudpuppy · Posted: Sat May 22, 2004 1:34 am Post subject: my fish problem.....i think

i just bought a redtailed shark .... its is pretty small.... and i have a tiger barb that is bigger than it who has been living in the tank for 1 week. the small shark chases the tiger barb alot ... (to the other side of the tank) , yet the tiger barb goes back and asks for more .... is this bad ???? the tiger barb is faster but the little shark chases him...and then the tiger barb goes crazy and swims into the glass and stuff .... do u think they are just trying to "get to know each other" ?? Neutral

DogmaMa · Member Joined: 01 May 2004 Posts: 35

One of them, if not both, are going to end up run-down, due to stress, and will die. If, they dont get bacterial fin infections from nipping, first. Its one of the hardest challenges in fishkeeping, finding, not just species, but individuals who are compatible. Both Red tails and Tiger Barbs are notoriously difficult to keep with other fish, you could try to find a new home for one or the other, or get several more of each species, usually they get so preoccupied with their own social lives they quit harassing their tank mates..usually.

Hooben · Posted: Sat May 22, 2004 4:07 pm Post subject:

You didn't state how big your tank is, but you have to remember that tiger barbs are very tough fish. Tigers also like being in groups of three or more. They school and constantly chase each other around. I think that if your tank is big enough, you should see about adding some more tiger barbs. The red tailed shark is also known for chasing fish around, and getting into fights. I really think that a school of tiger barbs would do okay.
Good luck!

Mudpuppy · Posted: Sat May 22, 2004 8:28 pm Post subject:

o thx... yeah i got 2 tiger barbs now ... and the shark still chases ... but not as much

Fish Addict · Posted: Sun May 23, 2004 5:37 am Post subject:

how big is your tank you may want to think about putting some different barbs in it like the albino tiger barb Green barb cherry barbs here is a link of some barbs http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/scateg.cfm?siteid=21&pCatId=880

Hooben · Posted: Sun May 23, 2004 3:41 pm Post subject:

I've always heard that 3 or more is good with schooling fish like tiger barbs. I keep 8 tigers with a big severum, the numbers confuse the severum and he wont chase them.

Mudpuppy · Posted: Sun May 23, 2004 8:25 pm Post subject:

Hooben, so do you think i should buy another tiger barb to make it 3 ???? or should i get liek a green tiger barb thingy??!?!?

rnkratt33 · New member Joined: 21 May 2004 Posts: 6

All tiger barbs are compatible. A green one wereould be fine or whatever. There is safety in numbers. He may decide to cool it a little once you have a small school of the barbs. Regardless I doubt he will do any real damage. He may chase but that will be about it. I wouldn't worry about him killing your barbs.