[EricSilver]

I am on my 4th batch of Tiger Barbs (over the past few years). These are great little fish because:

* They are one of, of not the, best schoolers
* They are curious, fearless, and lively, playful.

* They are EXCELLENT dither fish. If you have shy fish that hide a lot or get spooked easily, Tiger Barbs will cure them of that. I have 10 new Rummynose Tetras and they are normally very shy. After being exposed to my Tiger Barbs, they have shed their inhibitions and will eat blood worms from my hand, or swim into a net to get them. (They do not peck at the little hairs on my arm, like the Barbs do, when I vacuum the substrate, but I’ll give it a few more weeks.)

This fourth batch of Barbs, however, is a little different:

First, they are not tight schoolers. My previous Barbs would school VERY tightly, but these new guys mostly spread out over the tank. (Sadly, the Rummies are starting to adopt that bad behavior, but only once in a while.)

Second, they do not harass the other fish. I have never seen them nip at a Cory or Rummy, even out of curiosity. Indeed, they even leave the snails alone. Previous Barbs pecked at everything in the tank. (The LFS has some gorgeous comb tail Bettas; I think it will be safe to get one.)

Perhaps I have a batch of “soft” Barbs, or maybe a gender imbalance? (Their shape and voracious appetites suggest they are mostly females.)

Would adding two or three more make a difference -- perhaps cause them to school like they should??

 

[spypet]

I too enjoy my Tiger Barb school.
I suggest going with all males.
they display better, and you will
have less fighting as they mature.
I think the younger you get them
the more tightly they will school,
especially if they are all the same
size in relation to one another.

 

[tazcrash69]

Sadly, the Rummies are starting to adopt that bad behavior, but only once in a while.

IME, the rummies will do that when they get comfortable.

I used to love my tiger barbs, but I wanted shrimp more than the barbs.

 

[bereninga]

How do you tell the difference between the males and females? Is it the color? The shape? I have 5 in my 10 gallon. I know it's not a whole lotta room for them, but they seem to be happy and are always eager to eat!

EricSilver, how many tiger barbs do you have?

One of mine is very territorial compared to the rest of the others. It always has been ever since it was very little. Mine are adolescents right now, not full adults yet. When they get to adult, I will probably be forced to put them into my 50 gallon. They're def very entertaining!

 

[Lupin]

Male tiger barbs have darker colors whereas females often are light. Only the original strains seem to have obvious colorations. I had the gold variety before but sexing is not easily distinguished.

 

[EricSilver]

EricSilver, how many tiger barbs do you have?

I have 8, and they live with 10 Rummy Nose Tetras and 4 Cories.

 

[spypet]

Blue, the females are noticeably fatter, so it's easy to tell them apart even before their coloring matures. your gold's are probably all the same sex.