Question / Tropical Fish / Barbs ... comp., and FW dis. - 04/05/2006
Hi there
I have recently started a Tropical tank, it has been running for approx. 8 weeks now, and have a problem with my fish, and the local guys are not able to assist me with information.  I have 5 Tiger Barbs, 5 Rosy Barbs, had 2 catfish
<What kind?  Some are large and carnivorous, others, like Corydoras cats, are quite small and great with tetras.>
and had 7 Cardinals (only 3 remain) in a 2ft tank.  I have narrowed the problem to either the Tiger or Rosy Barbs killing off and eating the cardinals and the catfish, but I do not know who the culprit is.  
<Actually, cardinals are very, very delicate.  Nearly all or all are still wild caught (though many neons, closely related, are bred en masse).  It's entirely possible that the cardinals are dying prior to their consumption....>
They would have been in the tank for 2 weeks this coming Sat, 8 April.  The cardinals have reduced one at a time.  Only on one occasion have we been able to net out a carcass, all other times, there has been no sign of a dead Cardinal.  With your knowledge, please advise what I should do.  I will isolate the Cardinals tonight and the fish shop have said they will take the fish back, either the Tiger or the Rosy Barbs depending on what I decide.  
<Though tiger barbs can get a little boisterous and aggressive, I really tend to think that there's something else amiss, here - even just the act of removing a cardinal or neon from the water can cause extreme stress in these delicate fish.  If the water parameters are not utterly ideal (0 ammonia and nitrite, extremely low nitrate, soft, acidic water) they may not work out in this system.>
Which of these 2 are the more likely to predate on the Cardinals,
<Typically, neither.>
and the Catfish,
<"Catfish" is a little too general.  You're talking half inch dwarf cories on up to 200lb Pangasiids - MAJOR variation among species, here....>
and can I put in a Plecostomus in with these fish - he is about 7cm long.  
<Not a common Plec, not in a 2' tank.  You might get by with a Bushynose Ancistrus.>
If I keep the Tigers and the Rosies, what would be a good companion for them?  
<Other similar sized, similar attitude tetras, barbs or danios would do great.>
I look forward to your response.  Thank you,  -Penny Ludgrove
<Wishing you well,  - Sabrina>

Cherry barbs and Betta comp.
Dear Bob [or whoever happens to get this email :)], Thanks for the advice on adding the extra charcoal to my filter. A few
weeks after I added it my Betta's tail seemed to be growing back quite nicely!
<Ah, good>
Now that my tank is cycled and I know that my water is fine I added a few more fish. My tank is 5 gallons with a bio-wheel filter,
79-80 degrees and all of my water parameters are zero. 2 weeks ago I added one rummy nose tetra and two male cherry barbs. At first everything was going well then after about a week the barbs started nipping my Betta's tail.
<Very common in such a small volume>
Now his tail is beginning to look shredded. He has not been aggressive towards them at all and the tetra ignores them all and happily and actively swims all over the tank and his nose is blood red so I think he must be very happy! I had read many different things on your site saying that cherry barbs would be ok with a Betta so now I'm kind of confused as to what type of fish won't be aggressive
towards him.
<More than "species A and B" to this equation... particularly environmental size, make-up...>
The fish store I bought the barbs from just went out of business so I'm hoping I can find another store that will let me trade
them in since they are very healthy. Do you have any other suggestions as to one or two other fish (other than Corys) I can put in with my Betta and rummy nose tetra?
Thanks!
Catherine
<Please read here: http://wetwebmedia.com/FWSubWebIndex/betcompfaqs.htm
Bob Fenner>

Tiger Barb Tank additions  12/14/05
  Hi, Great site!
   <Thank you>
  I have been trawling through your FAQ pages trying to find an answer to my question without bothering you with an e-mail, but there are just to many!
  I have a 50g tank that I am trying to set up around a school of Tiger Barbs (6 regular 1 Green and 3 albino) I also have a Red Tailed Black Shark and a few (4) Zebra Danios in there as well. Everybody is happy and the pecking order is very balanced. The Danios just keep themselves happy on the top and the barbs and the shark live quite happily together everywhere else, but the bottom of the tank is lacking any real activity. I don't want to upset a happy balance between some real tricky fish but would like some bottom dwelling action, could you please suggest something that would be accepted in my little short fused community.
  Oh and would I be able to add a weather loach or would he get hounded???
<Due to the real potential "pickiness" of the Barbs and FW shark, I would add some armored catfishes here... a nice grouping of Corydoras species and a "Pleco" of some sort most notably. Bob Fenner>

Long-Finned Red Rosie Barbs vs.. Peaceful 29 Gallon Community 
Dear Bob Fenner,
<Anthony Calfo in your service>
I was delighted when I found your WetWebMedia website yesterday. I found it very informative and very helpful. I thank you! In trying to locate it again today I found that I had best be more careful to have the absolute correct address for future reference (don't leave off the media -- good grief!).
<hehe... how about setting the WWM page as the default homepage in your browser <wink>>
In a nutshell, I have had fresh water tropical (and cold/goldfish) community fish aquariums on and off since I was a kid. I am now in my fourth decade with four kids who have each tried their hand at same. Most recently, we moved our 29 gallon aquarium from one end of our home to the other at a point when it was fishless and only had a few plants. I've restarted it. It is in pretty good shape except that the Ammo-Lock that I put in it (that I was told I probably never needed since it sat there for at least a couple months in only a few inches of previous aquarium water with only plants and no fish) causes any readings to show high ammonia content; 
<you can get an accurate ammonia test reading if you use dry tab reagents instead>
and the ph is bit high; about 7.8. I put some PH Down in there today. We'll see how it reads tomorrow. What I have now are three (3) beautiful Long-Finned Red Rosie Barbs. 
<yes...gorgeous>
I purchased them at Petsmart eight (8) days ago. They seem in very good health. However, two of the three have come to have some shredded fins. One of them I figure to be the champ. He looks great! After doing some more extensive reading after the purchase, I realize that I purchased some fish that are more aggressive than I wanted for this tank. I phoned Petsmart. They said I may return them within 14 days of the purchase. I figure I have six (6) more days to decide whether or not to return these beautiful Barbs and go for some more peaceful fish. My 15-year-old, 10-year-old (the two of my four kids that are still at home), and my 49-year-old (my husband) have expressed that they would like to see Angelfish in our tank. I know these beautiful Barbs won't get along with Angelfish. I also know my ph is way too high for Angelfish. I'm told my ph should be 7.0 for Angelfish. I would like a peaceful, yet interesting aquarium. I think my best bet is to bring down my ph, and return the beautiful, yet too aggressive, Long-Finned Red Rosie Barbs to Petsmart. 
<I hate to see them go too... but, yes... I agree>
I believe what I would eventually like to see in my aquarium would be some Angelfish, Red Sunset Gouramis, Corys, White Long-Finned Tetras (?), maybe a Pleco.. (Rock Fish) (?), more plants, and some Mystery Snails. I'm not sure what else might fit well into this type of tank. I am open to any good suggestions and advice.
<harlequin rasboras, gold tetras, dwarf ram cichlids...so many choices>
I do have a couple more questions. I wonder if you would know why I actually have a hard time keeping snails alive in my tank. For some reason they never last long. I live in the northern Maryland suburbs of the Washington-Metropolitan area. Could it have anything to do with my water? 
<sure lack of minerals...too much of a given metal/mineral, etc>
I do use dechlorinator, and I do let the water sit for a day or two before putting it in the tank.
<not really necessary. Just dechlorinator is fine>
My last question (for now) pertains to Corys. I love Corys -- any kind of Cory. I lean toward the less expensive, less popular kind. I have always had at least (and usually) one in any tank I've ever kept. I never knew this before, but I am told they like to school. I am told I should have at least three. 
<absolutely>
The problem I have experienced (more than just a couple of times over the years) with Corys is that whenever I added a second Cory to my one, the first one (that had usually been there for months to years) has always died very shortly thereafter (days to weeks). Can you think of any reason why this would happen? 
<a bit odd if there are no other new fish deaths>
Maybe one is okay, two is bad, three is better? I've never tried having more than two Cory's in my tank at a time. I never heard before last week that they liked to school. 
<even three may not be enough if you get too many males. more than three would be nice for a shoal>
Thank you very much for any help you can be. Yours truly, Marianne db
<best regards, Anthony>

Tiger barbs and Otocinclus
I just brought home 3 Otocinclus and 1 twig catfish for my 29 gallon tank containing 4 tiger barbs.  The tigers are ganging up on the otos and chasing them all over the tank.  I am worried that the stress will kill them!  They have not spotted the twig cat yet but I have just read that the twig cat is easily harassed.  These are the fish that were recommended by the aquarium store (Old Orchard Aquarium in Skokie, Illinois) knowing that I have the
barbs.  I was going to buy a clown Pleco having read up on them.  The guy in the store said they were not good algae eaters and to get the twig cat instead.  I am ticked!  I don't want these fish to suffer but what if the store won't take them back tomorrow?
<Hello, Tiger Barbs sure can be terrors.  If you provide plenty of cover and dark hiding places they should be ok.  Live plants are great.  If the tiger barbs do not ease up on them after a while you may want to consider removing the Otocinclus.  Please be sure that there is enough food to go around for the otos and the twig catfish.  Have you checked out the article below, good stuff.  Best Regards,  Gage
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/FWSubWebIndex/otocinclusart.htm>

Rosy Barbs and Tiger Barbs Oh My!
I am new to fishkeeping and I have questions about the tiger barbs. I have started with 4 tigers to cycle the tank and I discovered that I like them.
<A very nice fish, a little nippy at times, but pretty.>
At the instruction of my dealer I have 3 rosy barbs in my quarantine tank waiting to go in the main tank
<Be still my beating heart! You have a quarantine tank for your freshwater display. God bless you sir! You will surely be rewarded!>
instead of buying 2 or 3 more tigers as most books suggest.
<I would be happy as long as you have three or more.>
He says its because I have only a 29 gallon tank and there won't be enough room for other fish if the schools are too big.
<A fair point.>
He also says that since they are in the same family the Rosies and the tigers will not harm each other.
<I would prefer to put it as they will be able to put up with each other's abuse.>
I am a little skeptical. Is 4 ok for a school of tigers?
<Sure>
Is 3 ok for Rosie's?
<Yes, these are a little less prone to school, at least not as tightly as the Tiger Barbs.>
Is it boring to have just 2 or 3 schools swimming around?
<You will be able to fit more than these seven fish in your tank.>
I don't want the tank to look too "busy". Also, what other fish do you suggest adding for variety? Stephen
<Giant Danios are another of my favorites. Various Gouramis would work, too. -Steven Pro>

Rosy Barbs and Tiger Barbs Oh My! II
Hey Steven, thanks for replying so fast!
<No sweat, you caught me at a good time.>
Do you think fish look better in larger schools?
<I think schooling fish should be kept in schools. Depending on the size of the tank, a large, tight school of fish is impressive to me.>
About the quarantine tank: My dealer is reputable. Their tanks look great and the Rosies looked healthy all 4 times I visited the store in the past month. How long do they need to be in my quarantine tank?
<Two weeks in perfect condition minimum for QT to be effective.>
I see that you find various Gouramis compatible with tigers. Most books say the same, but the stores all say not to do it. Why?
<You would have to ask them.>
I would love to have one. Is it the blue and gold Gouramis (Trichogaster trichopterus) that are tough enough to deal with the barbs?
<These are the most common ones and the ones I use often.>
Thanks! Stephen
<You are welcome. -Steven Pro>

Tetras & Tinfoils
Hello, my name is Julie. My mom went on this site about my 4 black skirts and how one was fat in the same aquarium their is another problem, I have 4 tinfoil barbs and their eating my neons we had 15 and now we only have 10, and I wanted to know if it is smart to give them away? (they are not feeding neons) Julie (9 years old)
<Julie, giving them away or putting them into a different tank would be the best thing you could do for them. Ronni>

Tinfoils, Neons, & Guppies
Hello, it's me again. Julie Forino My tinfoil are getting along with the neons but if my tinfoil get bigger will they eat the guppies (male)
<Tinfoils are pretty non-aggressive but there is always the possibility of this happening. These types of fish really shouldn’t be mixed due to their size. And unless it is a large aquarium (55 gallon or more), you’re really better off to stick with the smaller fish like the neons and guppies.>
P.S. They’re not full grown yet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
<Nope, and Tinfoils can get very large, very fast. Ronni>

Tiger Barbs and plants, oh my!
Hey guys and gals!
<Howdy!>
I am happy to say that I accidentally stumbled across this site while searching for some information on freshwater fish.  This is one of the best places I have found information that I need for my new money sink, err, hobby. :D
<We’re happy you found us too! Terribly sorry for the delay in replying.>
Anyways, to the problem at hand.  I need your advice concerning a school of 5 Tiger barbs (Puntius tetrazona) I have in my tank.  It is a 20 gallon (24"x12"x18") utilizing a Whisper 20 (with a Triad retrofit kit), water heater, and a basic hood with lighting.  The living contents of the tank consist of 5 Tiger Barbs (on the small side - ranging in size from just under an inch to just over an inch), 2 Leopard Corys (Corydoras julii), an
assortment of live plants, and some of those useful bacteria that help do the nitrogen cycle thing. The tank is 6-7 weeks old.  I had plastic plants in the tank until two days ago when I changed them out for live plants.  (I was having a problem getting the nitrogen cycle closed.  (It's a long story - don't think it has anything to do with the problem I am having with the barbs, but if you think it does I will be more than happy to give the details.)  I have to say that the fish seem happier.  The down side is that the barbs appear to have become more aggressive in the process.
<Interesting>
The Corys are coping by hiding in the plants and coming out when food is available or when the barbs seem to be lazing about.  However the plants have no where to go.  The barbs appear to be nipping at my red wendtii (Cryptocoryne wendtii), biting off small chunks and generally terrorizing the foliage.  The behavior stops once they are fed.  I started thinking that the problem could be controlled by ensuring they are fed enough.  However, the other part of "fed enough" is overfeeding which would result in a variety of different issues in the tank. My question is this: what should I do with the barbs?  I would rather not get rid of them - I am responsible for them after all.  I do not think getting rid of the plants is a good idea either.  Would feeding enough be counter balanced with the plants in the tank?  Would adding some other type of fish help regulate their behavior?  Are the plants tough enough to handle the abuse?  Are there any other options available to me?
<Overfeeding is still going to cause lots of problems, even in a heavily planted tank. I would suggest removing all of the fish from the tank, rearrange the plants & decorations, and then add the fish back in. Put the Corys in first and let them be alone in the tank for an hour or two, then add the Tiger Barbs back. This will mess up their territory and putting the Corys in first will give them a short time to adjust to the new arrangements before the Barbs are added back. If they do still nip at your plants I wouldn’t worry about it too much, they most likely won’t do enough damage to matter. If the plants start looking pretty poor then you’ll have to either remove the plants or the Tigers but I doubt this will happen. You might also put in a soft plant that you don’t care if they eat. Anacharis works well for this as it’s inexpensive and soft/tasty enough that most fish will chew on it some. Maybe then they’d leave your others alone. Not positive on this but it might be worth a try.>
My future plans for the tank are to add a Cory to bring the total to 3.  I am also contemplating adding a school of Rosy Barbs (Puntius conchonius) in several months (assuming there is "room" in the tank) as well as some sort of algae eating critters if the need arose.
<Rosies may not be a good choice here. They tend to be very non-aggressive and would get picked on by the Tigers. Your tank isn’t going to hold too many more fish, maybe 2-3 more plus a small pleco at the most so if you’re set on adding more you’d probably be best to go with more Tigers, maybe of the Albino or Green varieties. These will school with your current ones but would give you a bit of a color variation.>
In closing I would like to thank you guys again for having a fabulous website.  I look forward to your advice. --Ted
<Thank you! Ronni>

Tiger barbs
<Ananda here, answering the freshwater fish questions...>
Hi I have three tiger barbs in my tank at the moment and hope to get three more at the weekend. I have been told they can be semi aggressive (although they look like pussycats in the tank)
<Appearance can be deceiving, especially with these fish.>
Also I have two mollies which I had hoped to put in this tank.
<Their fins and tails will look like tasty treats to the tiger barbs, who will be unable to resist nipping them.>
Some people say its ok as long as I have a least six barbs. Others say its a no no. What is your opinion.
<While multiple barbs may reduce some inter-species aggression, they will remain fin-nippers. Please read the good information here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/FWSubWebIndex/BarbsDaniosRasborasArt.htm.>
I was hoping to free the present tank with the mollies to keep for any fry. Confused with all the conflicting advice. I have got attached to the mollies and I would hate for them to die at the same time I rather like the barbs as well.
<Hmmm... "attached to" vs. "rather like"... sounds like you prefer the mollies. They are one of my favorite fish species, too, for their beautiful coloration and finnage. I would keep them separate. Mollies rarely eat their fry, so raising them in the same tank as the parents is usually possible.>   
Totally confused. Margaret
<Hope this helps ease the confusion. --Ananda>

Re: tank mates for Barbs
WWM crew,
I was looking through your barb FAQs, and noticed that you recommend Gouramis for tank mates with barbs.  I have a 400 gal. tank, and would like to have more variety than just barbs and Gouramis.  Could you please recommend a few more?  Thanks!
<Certainly. The larger, faster (related minnow-fishes) rasboras, Danios would be great... and maybe the freshwater angelfishes in such a large system, as well as many choices in dwarf South American cichlids (like the Apistogrammas). More? Bob Fenner>
Rochelle

Cherry Barb
Dear Mr. Robert Fenner,
<You got Ronni today.>
I am writing to ask your advice.
I have a 3ft community fish tank with
Zebra Danios
Lemon Tetras
Black Neons
Neon Tetras
Pearl Gouramis
Platys
Silver Tips
I have seen some Cherry Barbs in the shop, do you think they would be O.K. with what I have already got?
<Temperament wise they should be fine as long as you have enough room.>
Because I have heard that all barbs are fin nippers, also would white clouds be O.K. with them?
<Some Barbs are horrible fin nippers but many are very peaceful. Cherries can be either way, the ones I have are peaceful but I’ve heard of others who nip constantly. White Clouds prefer a bit cooler water than your current fish but they can be and often are successfully kept with many of the species you currently have.>
I am looking for a peaceful community tank.
<Looks like you have it with maybe the exception of the Gourami’s. They can sometimes be quite aggressive but if they’re not causing any problems yet I’d keep them.>
Would be grateful for all your help. Thank you Robbie
<You’re very welcome.>

Re: Cherry Barb
Thank you for reply. I found your advice most helpful. Really appreciated. Cheers
<Glad to be of service. Ronni>

Tiger barb
I have a tiger barb that wont live with any other tankmates. I had 4 in a 15 gallon and he ate or killed the others.....I tried to put some more in but he killed them too. Also now he hides all day and all night unless I feed him pls help me find a way to make him not so scared and frightened or having killing urges....thanks Sean
<<Dear Sean. How often do you do water changes? How long has this tank been running with fish in it? Is it cycling? You need to keep tiger barbs in groups of 4 to 6 fish. You should take a sample of your tank water to your Local Fish Store, and have them test it for ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates. These are toxins that can kill your fish in a new tank. Please have your water tested, and then email me the results. -Gwen
PS please try to type more legibly on your next email. I had a hard time understanding you this time. Thanks :) >>

Tiger Barb
>I have a tiger barb that wont live with any other tankmates. I had 4 in a
>15 gallon and he ate or killed the others.....I tried to put some more in
>but he killed them too. Also now he hides all day and all night unless I
>feed him pls help me find a way to make him not so scared and frightened or
>having killing urges....thanks Sean
><<Dear Sean. How often do you do water changes? How long has this tank been
>running with fish in it? Is it cycling? You need to keep tiger barbs in
>groups of 4 to 6 fish. You should take a sample of your tank water to your
>Local Fish Store, and have them test it for ammonia, nitrites, and
>nitrates. These are toxins that can kill your fish in a new tank. Please
>have your water tested, and then email me the results. -Gwen
>PS please try to type more legibly on your next email. I had a hard time
>understanding you this time. Thanks :) >>
Re: Tiger Barb I took it to PetCo and they said every thing was stable in it my nitrates and nitrites are at 0. (sorry about the bad typing.) Anyways, the tank is cycling and I did have him with 3 other tiger barbs but as I said in the other email he killed them or ate them.....I talked to the guy who worked at PetCo and he said try to get some more tiger barbs that are bigger than him. I didn't really trust him....well I would like to now how to get rid of this behavior of hiding and attacking tankmates...thank you, Sean
<<Hello again, you are welcome :) I am very happy you got your water tested. I do agree with the Petco guy, you should add more tiger barbs, larger than the one you have left. They need to be kept in groups. One thing you can do is ask your pet store guy if they will take back your "killer" tiger barb. Tell them you want to buy  4 or 5, but you don't want the one you have now. Perhaps they will let you exchange him when you buy the new ones. Some stores will do this, some won't, but you won't know unless you ask them.
Good luck :) -Gwen>>

Feeding Barbs the Wee fins o' Guppies -II
>Thanks for the response. I have gotten another 29 gallon and removed all but the swordtail, and guppies, and I put in 3 more female guppies, 2 more female swordfish, 2 female platy's, and some ghost shrimp, and some real plants. I have 3 guppy fry as of this morning.
>>Hi, you're welcome. So, as I understand it, you've separated all the livebearers from the barbs, et al.
>I knew they looked pregnant so I already had the breeder net. My other tank has the sharks, tetra's, and barbs.
>>Great, but I really MUST reiterate, the red-tail sharks are going to get *very* large, and when I say they're suitable for tanks with cichlids like Jack Dempseys, it means that they are quite aggressive and only fish that have similar propensities will be able to withstand their attention. You'll need to watch them closely, and when fish go missing, look to the red-tails first. The rainbow sharks can go into the tank with the livebearers, as they won't grow as large and are nowhere nearly as aggressive.
>I didn't buy the injected tetra, they were given to me by my brother.
>>Ah, fish gifting.
>But thanks for telling me , I won't be buying anymore of them, as I agree it is cruel.
>>A LOT of people have no idea how these fish come to be, and think that they maybe are painted with dye or similar. Can you imagine making your *living* taking tiny hypodermic needles and injecting fish with gaudy colors? Such is the way of things in poor countries.
>My husband hates how much attention I'm giving the fish, as I check online every day for information on my fish, plants, or general tank tips. He says I'm like a child playing with a Barbie house, but I just want my tank to be a happy little community, I watch my fish, and when I found that I have a shy platy. I rearranged the tank to give her a place to hide, I also put in plants, and a cave area for my ghost shrimp. There is also a large corner structure that I purchased, and when I couldn't find my fish I decided to turn it on it's side. This really opened up the top of my tank, and with the light from the back opening, I can still see my fish. My swords, platy's, and guppies, all like the cave this way, and even the ghost shrimp have burrowed under part of it too.
>>Oh yes, as a matter of fact, most fish will be happier and behave much more naturally, as well as spending *more* time out in the open if the tank is about 2/3 planted area, with some nice, thick plantings. Rocks and caves, driftwood (purchased from an aquarium shop is best) all adds to their sense of security. Tell your hubby that you're being a "conscientious aquarist" and that your responsibility to animals you take under your care is the same as if they were your children. (This is how I was raised.) They didn't ask to be placed in these glass boxes in people's houses, and you really *do* learn quite a bit engaging in this hobby. Marina 

Feeding Barbs the Wee fins o' Guppies -III 
>Thanks for the advice, after talking to my husband and daughter we are going to thin the herd. 
>>I think you'll be happier with the results. 
>I am giving up 7 guppies, both platies, and the tetras, and sharks, and will just get a few rainbow sharks as they are my husbands favorite to begin with. 
>>I would put in no more than two in a 29 gallon tank. 
>We gave one to my brother when we had the first guppy snacking session. but he got some bad advice and bought a red tailed after. thanks very much, and hopefully I'll have good news to share in the future. I also would like to know how long it will take the fry to grow big enough to be let loose? 
>>That depends on a few things, but when they're about a half inch long is when it *should* be safe. However, I would have some very thickly planted areas, going from the bottom to the top so they can feed in all parts of the water column. Be SURE to remove the females as soon as you have them identified or you'll have more guppies than you'll know what to do with! Same goes for the other livebearers, too. Best of luck and DO enjoy! Marina

Pandas and Barbs Incompatible?
Hi!
I have a 10 gallon tank with 2 striped barbs and 2 long-finned danios. All 4 fish are about 1" in size.  Tank has been cycled and water tested. They have been living together for a few months now and get along great. I do a 20-30% water change every week.  The other day I added 2 small panda Corys.  Right away, one striped barb started chasing one of the Corys.  This went on for a few days. Every time the panda tried to rest, the barb would seek him out and chase him.  It only happened with one barb and one panda.  Also, the barbs were hogging all the food, so we tried a sinking pellet for the pandas, but the barbs found that too and devoured it!  Needless to say, when I got home from work one night, both pandas were dead.
I took them out and did a water change and the 4 original fish are back to normal.  Will this happen with any new fish I add or was there some incompatibility with the panda and the barb?  I feel like the barb harassed the pandas to death!!
< Some fish do get territorial and some barbs have been known to become fin nippers. Next time do a water change and rearrange the tank just before adding any new fish. This may help. Or you could try to add numerous fish at the same time to help disperse the aggression of the barbs.-Chuck>
Thanks,
Frances

Nipping Tigers
I have just introduced my fish to my first tank (126ltrs) setup. It has been maturing for 2 months (ammonia 0ppm, Nitrite 0ppm, Nitrate 40ppm, very hard water with pH of 8.4). 4 days ago I introduced 12 very small tiger barbs, 6 striped and 6 green. All has been fine until today when I came home and found one of the striped barbs dead and missing a piece of tail and another stripped one alive but missing its whole tail. Is this likely to be due to 'fin nipping' or could it be some sort of fast-acting infection that it rotting the tails or something? Before deciding on Tiger barbs I had read that they had a reputation for fin nipping but didn't think it might amount to this. Does it?
If it is fin nipping I have seen on the FAQ pages that I should be keeping them in odd numbers, so I will do that, but would it also be better to increase the size of the group? How many tiger barbs would a tank of 126ltrs cope with? I was thinking of introducing some angel fish at some point in the future (when I gain some confidence as an aquarist), but I wonder if that it wise if it is aggression that has caused the above problems. I would welcome your experienced views. Paddy
< Probably the tiger barbs are establishing a pecking order and a few nipped fins are normal until they get things sorted out. The major damage is being caused by a bacterial infection initiated by the nipped fins. I would clean the filter and do a 30% water change to reduce the nitrates to under 25 ppm. Vacuum the gravel and treat with Nitrofuranace. Watch for ammonia spikes because the antibiotics may affect the good bacteria that reduce the ammonia and nitrites to nitrates.-Chuck>