Author Topic: Rosy Barb Fighting (Read 16524 times) 2 replies

sjames · « **on:** April 20, 2017, 09:14:46 AM »

I have a 256l community tank (newbie, started in Nov 16). I am at around 30% volume of fish according the calculator but have a nice variety including my 6 rosy barbs. 2 male and 4 female.

The 2 males have now been fighting for 2 days. They go on and on and exhaust themselves, go to a separate corner to breathe hard and then resume. It seems they are evenly matched and will not give up. They go around in circles trying to nip each others tails or that area, on and on. Its a bit distressing to watch. I have parted them a couple of times. This morning they didn't seem to be chasing each other so perhaps this has ended. The other fish take no notice.

Is this normal behaviour, is it a sign of breeding or wanting to? Should I take any action or just leave them to finalise?

thanks

Sue · « **Reply #1 on:** April 20, 2017, 09:31:32 AM »

I've looked at Seriously Fish (as I've never kept these fish myself) and they say they are peaceful fish. But they do advise getting 8 to 10 of them.
I wonder if having just 2 males means that they have no-one else to compete with except each other. Like with female bettas, 2 is a bad number because they'll always fight each other; 3 is a bad number because two will gang up on one; 4 or more are needed so no one fish gets picked on all the time.
Maybe get four more barbs, 2m, 2f to make a total of 4m 6f.

Other than that, I don't know what you can do. Separating them permanently might be one way but you'd need a shoal in each of two tanks for that. Taking one out temporarily then putting it back will go back to square one as the one that stays will see the other as an intruder when it is returned.

sjames · « **Reply #2 on:** April 20, 2017, 09:40:24 AM »

Thanks Sue, I followed the advice of the shop, taking 2 males plus 4 females, supposing a good balance in keeping everything peaceful. They were one of the original fish I purchased so its weird how this has just started; for 4 months or so not a thing, and I haven't added anything for 4 weeks or so.
I will discuss with the independent store I use. They do seem to care and seem very knowledgeable.

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Rosy Barb Fighting

Rosy Barb Fighting

Author Topic: Rosy Barb Fighting (Read 16524 times) 2 replies

sjames

Rosy Barb Fighting

Sue

Re: Rosy Barb Fighting

sjames

Re: Rosy Barb Fighting

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