I have 10 tiger barbs in a tank that also has 2 male balloon mollies in it. I got some female balloon mollies but the tiger barbs are chasing a couple of them relentlessly. Why is this? I know the tigers can be aggressive but why are they fine with the 2 male balloons? They have never bothered them so I thought it would be fine to add a couple more females. Any ideas and will this go away after a couple days?
2007-11-02 03:05:06 · 6 answers · asked by Serena01 3 in Pets ➔ Fish
I know they are known as fin nippers but why haven't they ever bothered the 2 mollies I already had. Is it because the new ones are female or is it just because they're new to the tank? I wouldn't have gotton them if I thought it would be a problem cause as I said the tigers never have and still don't bother the 2 boy mollies. Thanks for your help!!
2007-11-02 03:55:36 · update #1
The barbs are chasing the new fish because they are "new" intruders to the territory. It is possible that the barbs will tire of this sport in a few days,if they don't you might try moving all the decorations around to disrupt the territorial order of things.
It's sort of surprising that the barbs are not just busy chasing one another,we used to be told that a large group of Tiger Barbs would keep their aggression within the group. You might test this by adding 4 or 5 more Barbs,but if that doesn't work the Mollies will really have a problem.
Good luck.
2007-11-02 04:00:27 · answer #1 · answered by PeeTee 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It sounds like they are being picked on because they are the new kids on the block. Give them plenty of places to hide ( some places where the barbs can't get to) and wait. If they are being picked on because they are new, the barbs should lose interest after a couple of days.
Oh and whenever I put a new fish into my tanks I try to rearrange the decorations of the tank so they won't be any terrritory disputes. This way the bullies are occupied with their "new" surroundings and don't pick on the newbies. Hope this helps!
2007-11-02 07:03:23 · answer #2 · answered by jessiej83 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
All barbs, especially the tigers, are notorious fin nippers. Especially if the mollies have long feathery fancy fins this will not likely stop and will be overly stressful, possibly seriously dangerous, for the fish being chased and nipped on.
2007-11-02 03:23:33 · answer #3 · answered by brddg1974 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Chances are the tigers will chase any newcomers, no matter what they are. Be careful though because this is very stressful for the mollies. Make sure they have plenty of places to hide and take a break from the fighting. Also, make sure they're getting food. I recommend a vacation feeder (looks like a white block, sometimes shaped like seashells) in addition to regular feedings to make sure everyone is getting enough nutrients.
2007-11-02 03:16:10 · answer #4 · answered by KityKity 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
PeeTee is right - the will chase newcomers, and if that's all it is, they will settle down.
Another possibility, though, is that the females were pregnant when you bought them and are releasing fry. The barbs are harassing the females into dropping fry and just following along, getting a free meal.
2007-11-02 04:33:46 · answer #5 · answered by copperhead 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
New fish. They may very well continue harassing them to death, so I'd move the female m's out.
Oh, what size a tank. It may be too small for the new additions.
2007-11-02 06:58:08 · answer #6 · answered by TopPotts 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋