First 10 Gallon Tank...

[Ryan42jo]

Hi everyone I was referred to this site by some friends when I had questions about setting up my first tank and this place has been a great resource. I've been lurking here for a few weeks and I read "The Simple Guide To Freshwater Aquariums." Here's what I have going on right now:

Traditional 10 gallon tank
Aqua Tech filter (mounts off the back on the outside)
Heater (set to 78)
Hood with one 15w flourescent light
15 lbs. substrate
1 Anubias
1 other live plant, don't know the name, taller with big leaves

I let it cycle for a few weeks before adding 3 white clouds. I left them for another couple weeks and they seemed to do fine, water parameters stayed constant. About 1 week ago I added 3 more white clouds, I heard they like to be kept in schools and 2 tiger barbs. I went with the white clouds first just because I heard they are pretty hardy and good for starting a tank. I like the tiger barbs much more now and know that they can be aggressive so they should be kept in a school. Anyways, everyone seems to get along, the barbs don't pick on the white clouds, they seem to pick on eachother instead. Today I've noticed that one is hiding in the corner and starting to lose some color. I think it may be because he is being picked on by the other barb. I'd like to maybe get more tiger barbs, say 8 total, and possibly return the white clouds if that's even possible.

[jm1212]

your 10 gallon would be to small for a school of 8 tiger barbs. they really need to be kept in a school of 12, which would need at least a 20 gallon long.

[Ryan42jo]

So what do you suggest then? I was thinking if there were more tiger barbs they wouldn't pick on eachother as much.

[jm1212]

when fish are confined in spaces that are to small for them or they are crowded, they become more aggressive. the only thing i can suggest is to return the tiger barbs or have your LFS hold them for you until you can get a bigger tank for them.

[garbon2535]

That is alot of fish for such a small tank. Your bioload may exceed the limits of your filtration and you will run into teritorial issues, which it seems you already are.

[Ryan42jo]

Right now there is a total of 8 fish: 6 white clouds and 2 tiger barbs. One tiger barb chases the other one whenever it leaves it's corner, but this just started today.

What if I were to return the white clouds (is that possible?) and get 4 more tiger barbs. Then I would 6 tiger barbs total and that's it. Would that be alright?

[tks4d2]

that sounds fine to me, although your petshop will only take the wc off of you for free

[Ryan42jo]

I guess my question then is would 6 tiger barbs get along in a 10 gallon tank by themselves? I have nowhere else to put the white clouds so I'd just give them back if I had to. Does this sound like a good idea so should I do something else?