Crazy Tiger barbs

[Napsterhaven]

Ok A few weeks ago I added my 5 tiger barbs and 5 "head and tail light tetras" to there new 55gal home. And a few days ago the started acting real wierd. They will suspend vertically in the water facing straight down. Is this a common charateristic of these fish? All water test show no nitrites no ammonia and 15 nitrate. Ph is 7.2. They are otherwise calm fish. Sometimes they will hang sometimes not. And they really only do this near the powerhead, or filter spillway. Powerhead is setup as aerator. Any ideas? The 5 tetras are going about there business that why Im puzzled.

[CHINABOY1021]

i've read that tiger barbs go "head down" towards the gravel when water conditions are not right. you water parameters seem fine, so not sure what's wrong

[thom336]

I agree with chinaboy in that they show this head down characteristic when something is wrong with the water. This is one of those 'did you cycle the tank first' posts by me, and 'you mention nitrate and ammonia, but what about nitrite'. And, even if those two answers are positive ones, 10 fish is still alot to introduce to a new tank all at once, and this will have an impact on the biological filter, which would lead to a deterioration in water quality. A series of 50% waters over a period of days should resolve it.

[Napsterhaven]

Nitrites are zero. The tank was fishless cycled using 2 emperor 280s. I had it to where it would eat 5ppm ammonia in 8 hours. I do 50% water changes weekly and add dechlor to the water before I add it to the tank. Any other suggestions?