Addition to tiger barns and Denison barbs?

[Cmax01]

Hi! I have a 29 gal freshwater tank with 1 tiger barb, 2 densison barbs and a corydora. Backstory...we got a 10 gallon and within a week, the tank leaked several gallons out one morning. 2 barbs died, seems like something was just wrong with that tank (it was cycled properly and we lost 7 barbs all together). The new tank has cycled for a week and all the fish have survived and are thriving. I know the tigers like to be in groups of 4-5 or more but my question is, would they be ok with just 1 and 2 or do I need to group them again? We’d like to get different fish to go with them but if not then we’ll get more barbs.

 

[Cmax01]

Excuse the typo in the title, should say barbs not barns but I don’t know how to correct the title.

 

[Byron]

Welcome to TFF.

Both fish species are termed shoaling fish, which means they must have a group. In many cases, six is the minimum recommended, but here these two species both need more than six.

Denison Barbs, Sahyadria denisonii, need a group of eight minimum. This fish attains six inches and needs space to swim. Without a group of eight, it is likely there will be serious aggression.

Tiger Barbs, Puntigrus tetrazona, is by nature an aggressive species and it requires a group of 10-12. This would work in your 29g as the minimum tank size for a group of 10 is 30 gallons.

So, if you want the Tiger Barbs, increase the group to 10-12 in the 29g tank, with no other upper fish. The Denison Barb is not going to work in this tank.

A note on why a group is necessary. Fish that are shoaling have the need for a group of their own programmed into their DNA. The group provides essential aspects crucial to their health and life. With fewer numbers, studies have now proven that aggression is increased. It is frankly cruel to the fish to keep them contrary to what nature intends and what they expect. Feel free to ask if any of this is unclear.

 

[Cmax01]

Welcome to TFF.

Both fish species are termed shoaling fish, which means they must have a group. In many cases, six is the minimum recommended, but here these two species both need more than six.

Denison Barbs, Sahyadria denisonii, need a group of eight minimum. This fish attains six inches and needs space to swim. Without a group of eight, it is likely there will be serious aggression.

Tiger Barbs, Puntigrus tetrazona, is by nature an aggressive species and it requires a group of 10-12. This would work in your 29g as the minimum tank size for a group of 10 is 30 gallons.

So, if you want the Tiger Barbs, increase the group to 10-12 in the 29g tank, with no other upper fish. The Denison Barb is not going to work in this tank.

A note on why a group is necessary. Fish that are shoaling have the need for a group of their own programmed into their DNA. The group provides essential aspects crucial to their health and life. With fewer numbers, studies have now proven that aggression is increased. It is frankly cruel to the fish to keep them contrary to what nature intends and what they expect. Feel free to ask if any of this is unclear.

Thank you so so much!!! Your explanation was superb! I’ve only had goldfish prior to these guys and just trying to figure out the best for them to thrive.

One question...should I keep the two Denison barbs in the tank or return them? I don’t want them to be harmed or deteriorate, that thought breaks my heart.

 

[Byron]

Thank you so so much!!! Your explanation was superb! I’ve only had goldfish prior to these guys and just trying to figure out the best for them to thrive.

One question...should I keep the two Denison barbs in the tank or return them? I don’t want them to be harmed or deteriorate, that thought breaks my heart.

Return them. If you do not, they will likely tear into one another, depending upon their individual temperament. The lack of a group is causing them stress, and this is what drives fish to react with aggression. But even if this did not occur, their immune systems are being weakened by the stress, and they are having other internal issues that continue to add more stress until something has to give. And the tank is simply not large enough to accommodate them in terms of water quality, and the Tiger Barbs will add even more problems to them.

 

[Cmax01]

Return them. If you do not, they will likely tear into one another, depending upon their individual temperament. The lack of a group is causing them stress, and this is what drives fish to react with aggression. But even if this did not occur, their immune systems are being weakened by the stress, and they are having other internal issues that continue to add more stress until something has to give. And the tank is simply not large enough to accommodate them in terms of water quality, and the Tiger Barbs will add even more problems to them.

Thank you very much! I appreciate your response and expertise! I will return them