I'm new to this. I purchased a 55 from a guy this past weekend. He sold me the whole setup, fish and all. I've got 6 barbs (2 green, 2 albino and 2 tiger), 3 convict cichlids, a blue tetra, a rainbow shark, a chinese alge eater, a striped raphael catfish and a bichir eel. These guys have all been together for about 6 months I think.
I have to say, I went into this a bit unprepared, but with a lot of reading here I think I'm under control, at least for the first week.
I've read how the barbs are best in groups of 6 or more and usually don't bother the other fish if they have a group. I do have six so I wasn't too worried. For the first 4 days everyone was doing well. However, now one of the albion tiger barbs has become quite territorial right in the middle of the tank and chasses any of the other barbs that come close. He will even go over to fish in the corners and chase them even if they don't come near. He's a real *** if you know what I mean. He doesn't bother the cichlids or the tetra at all, and the other fish just lurk under the rocks.
I'm worried that he may be stressing out the other 5 barbs. Is this normal behavior? Will it calm down eventually. Do I need to remove him? Should I consider adding more barbs to create a bigger group? I don't have another tank, except for a small tank my daughter has a betta in and I don't think that is an option. I've been considering getting a 29 quarantine tank for emergencies, but I don't want to leave him there forever.
BTW, all of the tank chemical levels seem to be good. I did start with clean water, but I used the old canister filter and sand without cleaning them. I'm actually surprised that went as well as it did.
Thanks for your help.
I have to say, I went into this a bit unprepared, but with a lot of reading here I think I'm under control, at least for the first week.
I've read how the barbs are best in groups of 6 or more and usually don't bother the other fish if they have a group. I do have six so I wasn't too worried. For the first 4 days everyone was doing well. However, now one of the albion tiger barbs has become quite territorial right in the middle of the tank and chasses any of the other barbs that come close. He will even go over to fish in the corners and chase them even if they don't come near. He's a real *** if you know what I mean. He doesn't bother the cichlids or the tetra at all, and the other fish just lurk under the rocks.
I'm worried that he may be stressing out the other 5 barbs. Is this normal behavior? Will it calm down eventually. Do I need to remove him? Should I consider adding more barbs to create a bigger group? I don't have another tank, except for a small tank my daughter has a betta in and I don't think that is an option. I've been considering getting a 29 quarantine tank for emergencies, but I don't want to leave him there forever.
BTW, all of the tank chemical levels seem to be good. I did start with clean water, but I used the old canister filter and sand without cleaning them. I'm actually surprised that went as well as it did.
Thanks for your help.
