Bully Male Tiger Barb

[Pootspete]

Okay, this might be a really dumb question, but I have feelings for my Tiger Barbs, especially "one."

I have 7 in a 20 gallon tall. 3 Rosy Barb and 4 Tiger Barbs. No one else lives in the tank. Tank has been up and running for six months or so.

Of the 4 Tiger Barbs there is one "bully" male and I believe the rest are females. This "bully" male picks endlessly on this "one" Tiger Barb chasing it around the tank until that Tiger Barb has to hide in the corner.

Naturally, my heart goes out to this "one" little Tiger Barb who continues to get bullied.

What would happen, or should I even attempt, to get another Tiger Barb to maybe elivate the "bully" male where he would not pick on the runt?

Will that be a solution, or is this just the way nature is and I should accept it?:(

Thanks......

[Sumpin'fishy]

From what I've heard, you want to keep a decent group of Tiger Barbs, as they are quite "nippy". It probably would help to get some fresh meat in there to keep the bully occupied with more than one. This way only one shouldn't get the brunt of it. They call this controlled crowding in cichlids.

[DrDeath]

I used to have 3 Tiger Barbs (Huey, Dewey, & Louie). Louie died so I went out and bought 3 babies. Huey and Dewey will have nothing to do with the little ones. I thought they would all start to school together but it has been about a month with no luck. It seems to me that the original three bonded(even though they chased eachother alot). Maybe since yours is the odd man out you may have better luck.

DrD

[mwood322]

I'd definitely get some more. Especially if you can get at least 2 at abbout the smae size, or a little smaller as the bullied one, which might at least confuse the alpha.

--Mia

[Cichlid Woman]

"Odd MAN out" might be the accurate answer--maybe the one being chased is the only other male barb in the tank. Just a thought ...

-- Pat

[Pootspete]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Cichlid Woman
[B]"Odd MAN out" might be the accurate answer--maybe the one being chased is the only other male barb in the tank. Just a thought ...

Okay, Cichlid Woman, if the runt is another male, which could easily be, although his/her coloring is lighter on the fin tips and nose than the bigger bully male, then is that the explanation to why the bigger male is bulling?

Thanks.

[Cichlid Woman]

Could be, especially if the rest are females. Possibly a dominance thing; the other male could be the only one he views as competition. That would be my guess.

-- Pat

[goldfries]

FYI it's normal for tiger barbs to have a hierarchy, in layman's terms : a pecking order.

get more barbs and a big tank (2.5ft minimum) and plenty of space and you'll see them running around like F1 cars around the circuit (more more like mafia car-chase scenes in Italy).

[Twilight]

I once had three females and one male. The females and one male chaced each other around so much and nipped at each other so much that two females died and now I have one male and one female. He does this her all the time...chases her into a corner. I decided to punish him and net him over night. Well the female just stayed by the net. I let him go. I guess they never learn.

[Sumpin'fishy]

Why is it women tend to pick the abusive guys?....just kiddin ladies.