fish question? help!

[biogal76]

Ok, I we had a tank with 5 tiger barbs, 3 albino & 2 green, well two days ago, the 3 albinos and one green ganged up on the smaller green, and bit all his fins off while we were gone, and he was almost dead. I put him in a q-tank so they'd leave him alone, and he died about 2 hrs later. My daugther was heartbroken...she didn't witness the attack, and didn't notice his fins were gone (only 5yrs). Anyway, I had asked a stocking question before, and everyone suggested bringing both kinds of fish up to a school of 6 each. (29g tank). Anyway, I want to add some fish today, and figure 3 albinos to bring that school to 6 was my orignial plan before the attack. So, what should I do now? I don't want to buy 5 greens and add them at once, but I don't want the lone green to get attacked by the others, which would be a school of 6 albinos.

Should I find try to find someone or store to take the green? Do big box stores take fish back? We've had him for 3 wks. I don't know if my small lfs will take him or not, we bought him at the big box, but have since started going to the small store.

Thanks for the help.

 

[steveeas]

i hear tiger barbs are pretty agressive. before you add more, i'd cruise the net and kind of plan your tank out in regard to fish personalities, water and temp requirements, etc......above all, try to be patient.....slower is much better when considering additions to your tank.

 

[biogal76]

yeah, I pretty much had figured out that each of them need to be in schools of 6...so that was the original plan <after I found it out, I wish I had known that FIRST, but oh well, live and learn right?>, work them up to 6 of each kind, and have a tiger barb only tank, with possibly adding cory cats later...but hadn't decided. (based on research and help from the fine folks on here) anyway, I just didn't know what to do NOW, that one had died, leaving only one of the greens..I dont want him to be attacked, but I can't add enough of them to bring them to a school, I'm afraid I will upset the balance of the tank. So I was wondering about going to an albino only tank...but what to do with the lone green? Anyone want a green tiger barb? Just kidding. Maybe I can ask around at the lfs to see if anyone might want him.

grrr. This is hard.