Black Ruby Barbs

[Dana C]

I bought 5 Black Ruby Barbs this morning but one of them keeps chasing the others. Is this normal or is it being aggresive? They are quite young as they have not turned black yet and still have black stripes.
Thanks in advance for any opinions.

 

[Sheridanp]

Hmm, I think barbs tend to be a little nippy. I have 2 right now, and there not really a problem at all. Maybe the fact being that one of them had his tale chewed off so he has already had a bad experience. I think barbs are a risky community fish, I know I'll never take the chance again.

 

[The-Wolf]

it is normal.
this is a pecking order thing. most barb species have a heirachy, one alpha fish and subserviant fish.
once the alpha is decided then all will be calm, untill a challenger appears.
this should settle down in the next day or two.

 

[Dana C]

Thanks for that, I think I may have worried to quickly. I think you are right as this one little fish was taking turns in chasing all the others. It doesn't seem so bad this morning so I think I should have waited before panicking about having a killer fish.