Oh No, Not Again - Cherry Barb Aggro

[minkymaid]

Hiya all!

Oh no! I mailed last month about my over agressive male cherry barb (in a 96L tank with 1 other male, 2 females and 4 corys and 4 danios) who was pinning my corys to 1 end of the tank and chasing them all over the place. Thanks everyone who replied - i decided i did have a weird little fish and went off to buy a baby biorb to house him. As it was, my lfs were so intrigued by this tale that they convinced me to return him to the shop so that i wouldn't have to buy a new tank and that they would permenently home him. He's now happily swimming around with 'the big boys' and seems to be less of a bully.

BUT, my remaining male has taken over the role, and this week i've spotted him having a go at the Corys. he's not as insistant as the original bully, but it seems to be on the increase.

HELP! Should i get more cherry barbs? Does he have to go back to the shop too? (I feel pretty mean about doing that though, and i do think that i shouldn't return a fish just 'cos it doesn't suit me). If i do get more barbs, what proportion of males/females? Or do you think that adding just any fish (as i'm not fully stocked yet) would mean that he just couldn't reasonable hold a territory. If so - any ideas of fish that would stand the aggression but not have a go at the Corys?

thanks guys
Minkymaid

 

[diademhill]

Hi,
What decor do you have - often this type of behaviour can be reduced if you arrange decor to block off sight lines across the tank. If the barb cannot see any cories he won't push them around but if they are in view he'll try to clear them off....
Does this make any sense? It's a bit tricky to explain.

 

[docbanzai]

Cherry Barbs are loners. They need to be kept individually or in very large groups with very heavy planting/hiding places. Generally they're shy, but will become aggresive when confronted with members of the same species and have nowhere to hide. In effect they're 'backed into a corner' and can become do-or-die fighters in these conditions. Found some info Here...
They can also be a bit daft, and easily confuse other species as a threat. Mayhap they're a bit thick

 

[minkymaid]

If only he WERE a loner and avoided everyone!

I have a planted tank, about half covered with plants,stone or wood, the rest gravel areas. He does appear to go for the corys when they are in the open, although he'll also go for them when they are amongst plants.
When he was the subordinate male, he and the corys used to hide up together in one corner of the tank. Now he's the only cherry barb male in the tank he's changed his mind about them. Any ideas why?

He certainly doesn't appear shy! Interesting that you suggest that it could be aggression from insecurity, but then it is well planted, so i don't know what more i can do. In fact i took a plant out last night form his favourite area to see if that would make the area less attractive - because it used to be the corys favourite 'parking' space for a bit of catfish r' n' r and i wanted to see if i could encourage them again. Do you think i should replant the area again with more plants?

Aagghh!! I didn't know fish keeping would give me sleepless nights!

 

[docbanzai]

Sounds like you've done all you can. Perhaps he learned his behaviour from the previous big-boy.

I dunno what to suggest. You've given as much cover as is practical (after all we DO like to see our fish once in a while!) Maybe you need some 'dither-fish'. A few more Danios perhaps? Or if you're feeling vindictive how about a gang of Tiger Barbs hehe (Only kidding, the Corys would NOT be happy!)

Sorry, but I'm clutching at straws here, just sounds like you've got the Norman Bates of the barb world

Also, have you got some hard cover for the Corys (caves, etc?) At least they might get some peace there...

P.S. Yup, sometimes I forget that we're supposed to be relaxing and enjoying our hobby but OMG how they can stress me out sometimes

 

[minkymaid]

Hiya!

i like the idea of chill out caves for corys, i'll give that a go in the trouble spots, thanks for the idea!
If it doesn't work out its the baby biorb 'naughty corner' as a last resort. or the tiger barbs....
minkymaid

 

[docbanzai]

"Right, that's it!!!! Play nicely or your off to the 'orb!!"

LOL