Extra shy female cherry barb.....

[Ami]

Hi y'all

I've never had barbs of any sort before. Just added 1 tiny male & 2 big fat females yesterday. The male and the largest of the females are exploring all over and making friends, whilst the smaller female stays at the back of the tank where she can hide.

The other 2 (as well as every other fish it seems!) go round and say Hi every so often, but the only time she came out was this morning when I fed them. She hung around the food and kinda picked at it then swum off, so the other female followed her and looked like she was nudging her back again!?

Having never kept them before, I'm keeping an extra eye on her (i keep a spare one in the fish cupboard for situations like this ) but I know they can be quite shy so thought I'd check if this was normal behaviour or not.

Thanks,
Ami

 

[Weaver]

I bought 6 of these about 2 weeks ago and they seem to be very shy fish.They dont hang out together but seem to be quite solitary fishIn fact Ive just had a look and only 2 of them are out in the open and the other 4 are at the back of the tank in the plants
However Im no expert and maybe someone with more experience can tell you more about them.Lovely little fish though

 

[digital_run]

With some fish it takes awhile for them to let their guard down and feel comfortable in a tank. If you've just added these cherry barbs recently then give them time...If your water quality is good and she looks healthy then you probably just have a shy one.

ÐR

 

[Ami]

I know that they're not inclined to shoal and that they are loners (as far as you can be in a fish tank!), but I think you're both right and she is shy.

The females are both much larger than the little male and appear to be egg laden - either that or they're pretty fat!

Any suggestions for vegetables to feed them?

Thanks,
Ami