I just wanted to say ... my Dad had some black ruby barbs and some gold barbs and he couldn't grow a single plant while the gold barbs were alive. Now he's down to just two black ruby females (and 5 new platies that he added at the weekend) and his plants are starting to recover. I've no idea if anyone else has had issues with barbs eating plants but I thought I'd mention it seen as you've gone to all the effort of planting it well
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Yeah, I remember you saying that before too. I've been watching the rosy's and they seem to nibble on my cabomba and water sprite here and there as well. I appreciate the warning on that for sure. I think I will still try it and see what happens, and at least I know not to be surprised if I end up with a plant wasteland lol
sorry, I forgot I'd already mentioned it - my memory isn't too great thanks to the illness I have.
I couldn't not say anything when you've gone to all that trouble of making it look nice. My Dad's troubles might have been a one off and your right to give it a go to see if it was or not
I couldn't not say anything when you've gone to all that trouble of making it look nice. My Dad's troubles might have been a one off and your right to give it a go to see if it was or not
jag51186 said:
The Denison will eat smaller fish, or at least may, depending upon the individual fish and other factors. Personally, I think Hillstream Loaches should have their own set-up. They also need cool water, and some current. I came across an absolutely perfect set-up for a group of these, a video, on the SF forum so can't link. Smaller tanks suit these fish better, as a group of them can be quite an active site.
With shoaling fish (as all barbs are), you should add the entire group together if possible. Some species will establish an hierarchy, and this is best done together from the start. A quarantine tank as you propose is very wise; the species mentioned will be commercially raised/farmed and these (in North America anyway) run a much greater risk of disease depending upon the origin. Juvenile (= small) fish are normally what we find in stores, so they can be a few weeks in the QT with no issues. I use a 20g and presently have 34 fish in it, but they are small, about 4/8 to 5/8 of an inch.
And while I'm here, the barbs eating plants is a possibility. Barbs will pick algae and microscopic critters off plant leaves, but they will not hesitate to eat the leaf too. Especially soft-leaf plants. My Black Rubys pick at my crypts and swords, but not to the extent of any damage beyond a tiny bit once in a while. Different species may be more or less inclined to this.
Minor update. I've been testing my water twice a day since putting the fish in. Ammonia has been reading somewhere between 0 and 0.25 ppm, leaving much closer to pure yellow. It read a clear 0.25 this evening, and I saw one of my rosy barbs flashing. No signs of ich or sickness, so I did a twenty percent water change. This was more to establish good procedure for future water changes than anything, but it was good practice for my wife and I. Also, gives me a little peace of mind.
jag51186 said:
On the flashing, this is most likely ich but if the fish are not under serious stress they will usually be able to fight it off. Ich first attacks the gills, so we don't see external spots, just flashing. I happen to be quarantining 34 new fish just now, and last week I spotted a flash or two, but nothing since. Avoid any stress to the fish so they can settle in. Some floating plants help, as these reduce overhead light as well as being excellent "ammonia sponges." Avoid crashing around in the tank as during water changes by just siphoning out water from one corner and replacing it. Water changes always benefit.
Byron.
So, things are going great. I ended up adding six denison barbs instead of getting more rosy barbs. I just couldn't help myself, and they are fantastic. They school very nicely and are a great calming presence in the tank. Ammonia was up to 0.25 on Sunday, so I did my weekly water change...and things are looking awesome.
Letting things sit for awhile while I get my qt tank setup. Then somewhere down the road I'll add my black rubies, and I think that will be pretty much fully stocked.
Letting things sit for awhile while I get my qt tank setup. Then somewhere down the road I'll add my black rubies, and I think that will be pretty much fully stocked.
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