Quality of Life

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fishinAZ

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Jun 7, 2004
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A little history: 29 gal tank cycled with 4 rather large tiger barbs and 1 cory. Added another cory and black, red tailed shark. Two barbs died after I changed water and siphoned tank. Have no idea what happened. Water tested perfect. Then added 4 skirted tetras.

Two barbs left. One is the dominate and has bullied the other remaining barb who now has very little tail fin left, hangs in the corner of the tank quivering. The dominate barb doesn't bother the other fish, just this one of it's own kind. I figured they are probably married... (joke)

This abused barb doesn't eat anymore and it's quality of life must really suck. I can't afford or don't want to invest in a smaller tank for this fish but am struggling with being Dr. Kevorkian and putting the pathetic fish out of it's misery. There must be some other solution....

Advice is welcomed.
 
How long has the tank cycled?

Did you treat the water for the water change or just let it stand overnight?

Can you tell us the ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate levels in the water?

Aside from separating the two barbs, you can get more of its kind to distribute the aggression among the group. Tiger barbs should be kept in groups of 6 or more. Same goes for the tetras. The cory should also be kept in a group of 3 or more.
 
For just a couple dollars you could get a net breeder trap for the beaten up barb; it hangs inside your tank, and allows water flow through (unlike the horrid hard plastic kind). Although designed primarily for saving livebearer fry, it's very good for isolating injured fish. If he's isolated he'll have a chance to eat and get better. If not, he's probably doomed; the abuse will likely worsen as he weakens.
While the fish heals away from harassment, you could go out and get a few more barbs, as phanmc said it will spread the agression around. You might want to do frequent water changes (once every 48 hours or so) and add some salt and/or MelaFix to the water for now, so your hurt little guy doesn't develop a fungus or bacteria problem.

Good luck to you and your tiger barb.
 
Personally I'd prob just get some more barbs. I hate net breeders. I dunno if it's just me but every fish I've ever put in one has died on me. Just too much stress I guess. Or just trade in your barb for a different barb at the lfs.
 
Thanks for the advice. The tank is over 6 weeks established. Water #'s are perfect. That appears to be the only thing I'm doing right. LOL

These barbs are unusally big for being purchased "new" at a lfs. Their body size a little larger than a quarter. The new barbs available right now at the lfs are tiny fishies. So how will the terror barb treat the smaller barbs is the question.

The bully has always been a problem, even when there were four of them. He/she is just a mean fish. Probably wasn't "nurtured" enough of the fry tank. :D

Thanks again!
 
If they're willing to take it then it will be fine. The fish store probably have much more barbs then you do at the moment. If there are enough barbs in there then the dominant one you have wont be constantly picking on just one or two barbs. The dominancy will be spread out over several barbs instead of just one or two.
 
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