Rosy Barb Problem

[Gill Passman]

One of my son's tanks contains 3 Mollies and 2 Rosy Barbs. The male Barb is
continually hassling the female and this morning I noticed her tail is
tattered. He is nipping at her everytime she comes out of hiding.

I'm looking at options as to where to move her at the moment...but these are
limited so it looks like the fry might need to be evicted from the 5gall
into one of the other tanks. I was thinking of dosing her with Melafix - if
it isn't too late. Just wondered if anyone has any other ideas.

Thanks
Gill

[dfreas]

I would suggest not dosing her with anything. If you can stop the
hassling she will heal within a couple of days.

So on to the real problem - putting a stop to the hassling. You didn't
mention how large the aquarium she is currently in is. If it is large
enough to support a couple more fish I would suggest buying two or
three more rosy barbs - that will spread the aggression around to
multiple fish and you should notice her heal up very fast when she
isn't constantly the center of attention. A group of five barbs will
also be much more interesting than two - in a larger group you'll see
much more natural activity.

Separating them is a good temporary fix but then you have the problem
of two tanks with a single barb in them. One barb by itself makes for a
pretty boring tank. Of course if your fry are successfull then they
won't be alone for long so that may be ok.

Still, I would stay away from medication unless you think it is
absolutely necessary. Others may disagree but I've never had a fish
that wouldn't heal on its own when put in a proper environment - and
that even includes a jack dempsey that was nearly beat to death by a
pack of severums. If your fish can still swim then it can still heal
itself.

-Daniel

[Gill Passman]

"dfreas" > wrote in message
ups.com...
> I would suggest not dosing her with anything. If you can stop the
> hassling she will heal within a couple of days.
>
> So on to the real problem - putting a stop to the hassling. You didn't
> mention how large the aquarium she is currently in is. If it is large
> enough to support a couple more fish I would suggest buying two or
> three more rosy barbs - that will spread the aggression around to
> multiple fish and you should notice her heal up very fast when she
> isn't constantly the center of attention. A group of five barbs will
> also be much more interesting than two - in a larger group you'll see
> much more natural activity.
>
> Separating them is a good temporary fix but then you have the problem
> of two tanks with a single barb in them. One barb by itself makes for a
> pretty boring tank. Of course if your fry are successfull then they
> won't be alone for long so that may be ok.
>
> Still, I would stay away from medication unless you think it is
> absolutely necessary. Others may disagree but I've never had a fish
> that wouldn't heal on its own when put in a proper environment - and
> that even includes a jack dempsey that was nearly beat to death by a
> pack of severums. If your fish can still swim then it can still heal
> itself.
>
> -Daniel
>
Tank is around 15UK galls. I went out and got another two females - male now
isn't sure who to chase first. Wondering if I should move the Mollies - my
son has a 30UK gall tank that he hasn't finished stocking yet (ran out of
Pocket Money).

The Barb in question is still swimming around and fed this morning....and
still running from the male. I'll keep a close eye on her over the next few
days.

Thanks
Gill

[Jim Anderson]

In article >, "Gill
Passman" <gillspamattaylorpassmanspam.co.uk> says...
>
> "dfreas" > wrote in message
> ups.com...
> > I would suggest not dosing her with anything. If you can stop the
> > hassling she will heal within a couple of days.
> >
> > So on to the real problem - putting a stop to the hassling. You didn't
> > mention how large the aquarium she is currently in is. If it is large
> > enough to support a couple more fish I would suggest buying two or
> > three more rosy barbs - that will spread the aggression around to
> > multiple fish and you should notice her heal up very fast when she
> > isn't constantly the center of attention. A group of five barbs will
> > also be much more interesting than two - in a larger group you'll see
> > much more natural activity.
> >
> > Separating them is a good temporary fix but then you have the problem
> > of two tanks with a single barb in them. One barb by itself makes for a
> > pretty boring tank. Of course if your fry are successfull then they
> > won't be alone for long so that may be ok.
> >
> > Still, I would stay away from medication unless you think it is
> > absolutely necessary. Others may disagree but I've never had a fish
> > that wouldn't heal on its own when put in a proper environment - and
> > that even includes a jack dempsey that was nearly beat to death by a
> > pack of severums. If your fish can still swim then it can still heal
> > itself.
> >
> > -Daniel
> >
> Tank is around 15UK galls. I went out and got another two females - male now
> isn't sure who to chase first. Wondering if I should move the Mollies - my
> son has a 30UK gall tank that he hasn't finished stocking yet (ran out of
> Pocket Money).
>
> The Barb in question is still swimming around and fed this morning....and
> still running from the male. I'll keep a close eye on her over the next few
> days.
>
> Thanks
> Gill

Rosy Barb (Barbus conchonius) will quickly grow to 4-6 inches.
Just a note.

--
Jim Anderson
( 8(|) To email me just pull my_finger

[Gill Passman]

"Jim Anderson" > wrote in message
et...
> In article >, "Gill
> Passman" <gillspamattaylorpassmanspam.co.uk> says...
> >
> > "dfreas" > wrote in message
> > ups.com...
> > > I would suggest not dosing her with anything. If you can stop the
> > > hassling she will heal within a couple of days.
> > >
> > > So on to the real problem - putting a stop to the hassling. You didn't
> > > mention how large the aquarium she is currently in is. If it is large
> > > enough to support a couple more fish I would suggest buying two or
> > > three more rosy barbs - that will spread the aggression around to
> > > multiple fish and you should notice her heal up very fast when she
> > > isn't constantly the center of attention. A group of five barbs will
> > > also be much more interesting than two - in a larger group you'll see
> > > much more natural activity.
> > >
> > > Separating them is a good temporary fix but then you have the problem
> > > of two tanks with a single barb in them. One barb by itself makes for
a
> > > pretty boring tank. Of course if your fry are successfull then they
> > > won't be alone for long so that may be ok.
> > >
> > > Still, I would stay away from medication unless you think it is
> > > absolutely necessary. Others may disagree but I've never had a fish
> > > that wouldn't heal on its own when put in a proper environment - and
> > > that even includes a jack dempsey that was nearly beat to death by a
> > > pack of severums. If your fish can still swim then it can still heal
> > > itself.
> > >
> > > -Daniel
> > >
> > Tank is around 15UK galls. I went out and got another two females - male
now
> > isn't sure who to chase first. Wondering if I should move the Mollies -
my
> > son has a 30UK gall tank that he hasn't finished stocking yet (ran out
of
> > Pocket Money).
> >
> > The Barb in question is still swimming around and fed this
morning....and
> > still running from the male. I'll keep a close eye on her over the next
few
> > days.
> >
> > Thanks
> > Gill
>
> Rosy Barb (Barbus conchonius) will quickly grow to 4-6 inches.
> Just a note.
>
> --
> Jim Anderson
> ( 8(|) To email me just pull my_finger

So moving the Mollies would be a good idea then...

[Elaine T]

Jim Anderson wrote:
> In article >, "Gill
> Passman" <gillspamattaylorpassmanspam.co.uk> says...
>
>>"dfreas" > wrote in message
ups.com...
>>
>>>I would suggest not dosing her with anything. If you can stop the
>>>hassling she will heal within a couple of days.
>>>
>>>So on to the real problem - putting a stop to the hassling. You didn't
>>>mention how large the aquarium she is currently in is. If it is large
>>>enough to support a couple more fish I would suggest buying two or
>>>three more rosy barbs - that will spread the aggression around to
>>>multiple fish and you should notice her heal up very fast when she
>>>isn't constantly the center of attention. A group of five barbs will
>>>also be much more interesting than two - in a larger group you'll see
>>>much more natural activity.
>>>
>>>Separating them is a good temporary fix but then you have the problem
>>>of two tanks with a single barb in them. One barb by itself makes for a
>>>pretty boring tank. Of course if your fry are successfull then they
>>>won't be alone for long so that may be ok.
>>>
>>>Still, I would stay away from medication unless you think it is
>>>absolutely necessary. Others may disagree but I've never had a fish
>>>that wouldn't heal on its own when put in a proper environment - and
>>>that even includes a jack dempsey that was nearly beat to death by a
>>>pack of severums. If your fish can still swim then it can still heal
>>>itself.
>>>
>>>-Daniel
>>>
>>
>>Tank is around 15UK galls. I went out and got another two females - male now
>>isn't sure who to chase first. Wondering if I should move the Mollies - my
>>son has a 30UK gall tank that he hasn't finished stocking yet (ran out of
>>Pocket Money).
>>
>>The Barb in question is still swimming around and fed this morning....and
>>still running from the male. I'll keep a close eye on her over the next few
>>days.
>>
>>Thanks
>>Gill
>
>
> Rosy Barb (Barbus conchonius) will quickly grow to 4-6 inches.
> Just a note.
>
I've never had rosy barbs grow that large in a tank. Mine have maxed at
2-3" SL. Has anyone else had 4-6" barbs or is that maybe a size for
wild fish?

--
__ Elaine T __
><__'> http://eethomp.com/fish.html <'__><

[Jim Anderson]

In article >, eetmail-
says...
> Jim Anderson wrote:
> > In article >, "Gill
> > Passman" <gillspamattaylorpassmanspam.co.uk> says...
> >
> >>"dfreas" > wrote in message
> ups.com...
> >>
> >>>I would suggest not dosing her with anything. If you can stop the
> >>>hassling she will heal within a couple of days.
> >>>
> >>>So on to the real problem - putting a stop to the hassling. You didn't
> >>>mention how large the aquarium she is currently in is. If it is large
> >>>enough to support a couple more fish I would suggest buying two or
> >>>three more rosy barbs - that will spread the aggression around to
> >>>multiple fish and you should notice her heal up very fast when she
> >>>isn't constantly the center of attention. A group of five barbs will
> >>>also be much more interesting than two - in a larger group you'll see
> >>>much more natural activity.
> >>>
> >>>Separating them is a good temporary fix but then you have the problem
> >>>of two tanks with a single barb in them. One barb by itself makes for a
> >>>pretty boring tank. Of course if your fry are successfull then they
> >>>won't be alone for long so that may be ok.
> >>>
> >>>Still, I would stay away from medication unless you think it is
> >>>absolutely necessary. Others may disagree but I've never had a fish
> >>>that wouldn't heal on its own when put in a proper environment - and
> >>>that even includes a jack dempsey that was nearly beat to death by a
> >>>pack of severums. If your fish can still swim then it can still heal
> >>>itself.
> >>>
> >>>-Daniel
> >>>
> >>
> >>Tank is around 15UK galls. I went out and got another two females - male now
> >>isn't sure who to chase first. Wondering if I should move the Mollies - my
> >>son has a 30UK gall tank that he hasn't finished stocking yet (ran out of
> >>Pocket Money).
> >>
> >>The Barb in question is still swimming around and fed this morning....and
> >>still running from the male. I'll keep a close eye on her over the next few
> >>days.
> >>
> >>Thanks
> >>Gill
> >
> >
> > Rosy Barb (Barbus conchonius) will quickly grow to 4-6 inches.
> > Just a note.
> >

Every reference database online lists the SL as between 4-6 inches.
FishBase <http://www.fishprofiles.com/files/profiles/rosy.xml> lists it
as 5.5 inches (14 cm)SL.

Saw many reqemendations to use the RB as a hair algea consummer, so read
up on them and was amazed they could get to be that big.

Would also be very interested in real world (aquarium) experiences,
thinking of getting some.

--
Jim Anderson
( 8(|) To email me just pull my_finger

[Gill Passman]

"Jim Anderson" > wrote in message
et...
> In article >, eetmail-
> says...
> > Jim Anderson wrote:
> > > In article >, "Gill
> > > Passman" <gillspamattaylorpassmanspam.co.uk> says...
> > >
> > >>"dfreas" > wrote in message
> > ups.com...
> > >>
> > >>>I would suggest not dosing her with anything. If you can stop the
> > >>>hassling she will heal within a couple of days.
> > >>>
> > >>>So on to the real problem - putting a stop to the hassling. You
didn't
> > >>>mention how large the aquarium she is currently in is. If it is large
> > >>>enough to support a couple more fish I would suggest buying two or
> > >>>three more rosy barbs - that will spread the aggression around to
> > >>>multiple fish and you should notice her heal up very fast when she
> > >>>isn't constantly the center of attention. A group of five barbs will
> > >>>also be much more interesting than two - in a larger group you'll see
> > >>>much more natural activity.
> > >>>
> > >>>Separating them is a good temporary fix but then you have the problem
> > >>>of two tanks with a single barb in them. One barb by itself makes for
a
> > >>>pretty boring tank. Of course if your fry are successfull then they
> > >>>won't be alone for long so that may be ok.
> > >>>
> > >>>Still, I would stay away from medication unless you think it is
> > >>>absolutely necessary. Others may disagree but I've never had a fish
> > >>>that wouldn't heal on its own when put in a proper environment - and
> > >>>that even includes a jack dempsey that was nearly beat to death by a
> > >>>pack of severums. If your fish can still swim then it can still heal
> > >>>itself.
> > >>>
> > >>>-Daniel
> > >>>
> > >>
> > >>Tank is around 15UK galls. I went out and got another two females - ma
le now
> > >>isn't sure who to chase first. Wondering if I should move the
Mollies - my
> > >>son has a 30UK gall tank that he hasn't finished stocking yet (ran out
of
> > >>Pocket Money).
> > >>
> > >>The Barb in question is still swimming around and fed this
morning....and
> > >>still running from the male. I'll keep a close eye on her over the
next few
> > >>days.
> > >>
> > >>Thanks
> > >>Gill
> > >
> > >
> > > Rosy Barb (Barbus conchonius) will quickly grow to 4-6 inches.
> > > Just a note.
> > >
>
> Every reference database online lists the SL as between 4-6 inches.
> FishBase <http://www.fishprofiles.com/files/profiles/rosy.xml> lists it
> as 5.5 inches (14 cm)SL.
>
> Saw many reqemendations to use the RB as a hair algea consummer, so read
> up on them and was amazed they could get to be that big.
>
> Would also be very interested in real world (aquarium) experiences,
> thinking of getting some.
>
> --
> Jim Anderson
> ( 8(|) To email me just pull my_finger

Apart from the male chewing the female I've not got much experience.......

She seems to be holding her own even though describing her as "scraggy"
wouldn't be an understatement. All the girls seem to be sticking together
with the male just trying to come and join them rather than chew them for
the moment.

Interestingly enough, when I went to get the two girls I was told that they
usually only sell them in male/female pairs. So they had to get the nod from
the Manager to sell me the pair of girls.

One of the new girls has the most amazing fins....almost like a fantail
goldfish. Hope she hangs on to them.

With respect to the tank I think I will be spending some time sitting down
with my son deciding on the best combination/mixes for his tanks. He has the
15gall and a 30gall. The 30gall is nowhere near stocked so maybe we can do
some swapping around so that the Barbs have more space. The only thing with
that is the Gouramis look so happy in the 30gall and I understand it isn't a
good idea to mix them with the Barbs.

Gill

Gill

[Elaine T]

Gill Passman wrote:

> Apart from the male chewing the female I've not got much experience.......
>
> She seems to be holding her own even though describing her as "scraggy"
> wouldn't be an understatement. All the girls seem to be sticking together
> with the male just trying to come and join them rather than chew them for
> the moment.
>
> Interestingly enough, when I went to get the two girls I was told that they
> usually only sell them in male/female pairs. So they had to get the nod from
> the Manager to sell me the pair of girls.

Males have more color, so if a full tank of rosy barbs comes in, many
stores sell pairs to get rid of the females. Cherry barbs are often
sold the same way. It's usually easy to convince a store to sell you 2
females instead of the male/female pair.

> One of the new girls has the most amazing fins....almost like a fantail
> goldfish. Hope she hangs on to them.

Longfin rosy barbs are cool fish. I think she'll be OK with 4 in the tank.

> With respect to the tank I think I will be spending some time sitting down
> with my son deciding on the best combination/mixes for his tanks. He has the
> 15gall and a 30gall. The 30gall is nowhere near stocked so maybe we can do
> some swapping around so that the Barbs have more space. The only thing with
> that is the Gouramis look so happy in the 30gall and I understand it isn't a
> good idea to mix them with the Barbs.

The barbs will appreciate the space even if they don't grow as large as
many of the 'net references say. They're active swimmers. I once had a
planted community tank with rosy, cherry, and gold barbs as part of the
community. The barbs added lots of color and activity to the tank.

--
__ Elaine T __
><__'> http://eethomp.com/fish.html <'__><