I'd never use them in mixed communities, but as school and with a group of clown loaches they make an extremely kinetic and colorful tank. They are very nice fish, just not for Noah's Ark tanks.
What's wrong with tiger barbs?
- Thread starter Wippit Guud
- Start date
I think that a lot of people who complain about tiger barbs don't keep them in a large enough group. The fin nipping and agressive behavior is magnified in small groups. I had big problems with agressiveness when I had 4 barbs. I increased the number to 9 and the general agressiveness decreased big time and there was absolutely no agressiveness anymore towards other species.
I have seen some people recommend keeping barbs in odd numbers and having at least 9 to a school. It worked wonders for me. I really enjoy t barbs.
I have seen some people recommend keeping barbs in odd numbers and having at least 9 to a school. It worked wonders for me. I really enjoy t barbs.
I think Tiger Barbs are great fish, if, and only if you can keep them in a large school... and definitely not in a community tank.
I just "traded" my four into the LFS today because the constant chasing by the dominant male was getting tiring for me to watch. I was going for the "calm tank" look with silver dollars. Plus the other 3 TB's were often hanging in the corners of the tank in a defensive posture. Not a happy life I suppose.
If I ever have room for another 30G then I would consider the TB's but in a group of about 8-10 at least.
I just "traded" my four into the LFS today because the constant chasing by the dominant male was getting tiring for me to watch. I was going for the "calm tank" look with silver dollars. Plus the other 3 TB's were often hanging in the corners of the tank in a defensive posture. Not a happy life I suppose.
If I ever have room for another 30G then I would consider the TB's but in a group of about 8-10 at least.
I'm actually thinking about trading in all my fish, except for my loaches, catfish, and RTS, and getting a school of Tigers instead.
I like Tiger Barbs, have only 7 right now. (4 males, 3 females) I'm going to try to breed them soon, I'd like to have about 25-30 of them.
What I got against them? Not much, but they do need some special attention at times. Some Barbs need to be quarantined often due to their aggressiveness. I had one that was really banged up, it was half naked, in that it lost half its scales somehow. Not a pretty sight. He survived though and he's back in the main tank and stronger than ever, after spending 3-4 weeks in the q-tank. They are tough fish. Its all in fun though, but you really need to be the sheriff and have some jail cells ready. Reminds me of the wild wild west.
What I got against them? Not much, but they do need some special attention at times. Some Barbs need to be quarantined often due to their aggressiveness. I had one that was really banged up, it was half naked, in that it lost half its scales somehow. Not a pretty sight. He survived though and he's back in the main tank and stronger than ever, after spending 3-4 weeks in the q-tank. They are tough fish. Its all in fun though, but you really need to be the sheriff and have some jail cells ready. Reminds me of the wild wild west.
We had 3 tiger barbs in a mixed 55 gallon tank with Cardinal and black tetras, loaches, corys, rosey barbs and danios with no problem. We put them in last however. The people at the pet store told us they were very agressive fish but I never saw any thing horridly wrong with them.
Although they did eat the neon tetras were put in there. Everything tried to eat those poor things, danios included.
If you are interested in active fish I would recomend Rosey Barbs instead. I have heard few complaints about them tearing up other fish.
Although they did eat the neon tetras were put in there. Everything tried to eat those poor things, danios included.
If you are interested in active fish I would recomend Rosey Barbs instead. I have heard few complaints about them tearing up other fish.
What I didnt say was, I purchased this tank for tiger barbs and clown loaches. I still feel tigers are a cool fish. Just imagine one six inches. The ring leader is still in the jd tank and doing fine. I dont think the jd could ever catch him. I think when his punishment ( per chefkeith ) is over I will give him a second chance.:shake:
