Tiger Barbs getting stuck.

[LvTaraMae]

I have a problem with my tiger barbs getting stuck behind my inwater filter system.:headshake2: I loved the filter when I first got it, its really easy and quiet. But now I have lost 2 of my tiger barbs to the filter. They get stuck between the filter and the glass. Is there a sponge that I can stick there to block it? And also, I now only have 4 left. If I get more they will be significantly smaller than the ones that I have now. Would the little ones be ok to put with my bigger barbs?

 

[Hooked Newbie]

Are you sure they haven't died first and then gotten sucked to the filter? They are strong swimmers so unless it's a pool filter, I'd think it should be ok. How long has the tank been set up? What are the parameters?

 

[LvTaraMae]

The tank has been set up for a little over two months. I dont know the peramiters, but I really need to get a kit for that. So the in-water filter problem. They are getting stuck, because last saturday I was missing a fish and found it at the top of the filter system stuck between the glass and the filter. I tapped the back of the glass(i know they hate that, but their previous owner was a six year old so he tapped a lot) the fish moved a little but not much. so I unhooked the filter and she swam out. but her side was swollen and missing some scales, by the time I got home from work that day, she had went into the cave in the tank and died. I found another on there again yesterday after work.

 

[tanker]

IMO--Only dead tiger barbs will get stuck in a filter intake. I run 2 magnums on my 100gal and my neons do not stick to it---Neons are a lot weaker swimmers then tiger barbs.

 

[irishspy]

I dont know the peramiters, but I really need to get a kit for that.

First thing I'd suggest is getting an API Freshwater Master test kit and checking your water. I agree with the others: tiger barbs are strong swimmers and shouldn't be getting stuck behind filters. This sounds to me like a symptom of something else being wrong. :idea:

 

[LvTaraMae]

The barbs are not stuck to the filter itself, but behind it. Between the glass and the back of the filter. The in-water filter just hangs from the top and suction cups the glass.

 

[kimmisc]

Look in the filter media section at the store and pick up some sponge(s) to stick in the space. Yes, healthy fish can and do get stuck in spaces that are just the right size for them to swim into and get stuck. Make sure to rinse the sponge out when doing tank maintenance so it doesn't become a source of excess nitrates.

 

[irishspy]

The barbs are not stuck to the filter itself, but behind it. Between the glass and the back of the filter. The in-water filter just hangs from the top and suction cups the glass.

Sorry, I was typing too fast and not thinking fast enough.

What I meant was, the behavior you describe hints to me that it's symptomatic of something affecting the fish, not just that they're being little fish-brains and swimming behind the filter and getting stuck, so sticking a sponge back there would address the symptom, but likely not the problem. Hence, the suggestion to get a test kit. Their erratic behavior (barbs swimming behind a filter sounds weird to me, at least :screwy: ) might indicate they're being stressed by water conditions, so you want to test it to be sure everything's kosher. Testing is a good habit to get into, anyway. :idea:

 

[LvTaraMae]

Thanks for the suggestions, I have the day off tomorrow and will pick up both a spong and a test kit. Thank you.

 

[Hooked Newbie]

I think I understand now.... is the filter similar to this pic?

If so and it's just them swimming behind it and being to fat to fit all the way, you may want to stuff some sponge behind it. I'd also consider changing it to a HOB filter. The filter capacity of these isn't very good IMO. I run them with sponge filters on two fry tanks, mostly just to have an extra filter to move to and fro.