seadreamer

My Red-Tail shark has been sharing a tank with my seven tiger barbs and three cory cats for three months. The barbs were the first in the tank and were very comfortable with the arrangement. Once I added the shark and cats, the tigers didn't mess with him or the corys, and vice-versa. Now, however, the shark is at least twice as big as the barbs and has become aggresive toward them. I thought that maybe now that the shark is bigger, he has become more aggressive because he needs more hiding spaces. He makes the barbs stay in a corner of the tank, even during feeding time, and if they come out, he chases and nips them. Two of the smaller barbs are missing the tips of their lower back fins, and the side-fins of most of the barbs have rips. Since my tank is fifty-five gallons, I assumed that space is not an issue. I am worried for the tiger barbs' health. If you have any suggestions, please help.

Shawnie

only suggestion I have is like a cave or castle for the shark? remove him then readd him after you change some things around and add a cavelike deco...my rainbow shark was the same way until I gave him a place to call home

seadreamer

Thanks! I hadn't thought of removing him first. I'll try that this weekend.

Johawk

My red tailed shark shares a tank with 10 tiger barbs. Every few months I take them all out and clean/re-arrange the tank. I figure this way none of the fish really get territorial. There are a bunch of rock caves that the shark can scope out though.

Well, lemme be honest, I prolly do that more for me than the fish. I just don't like looking at the same tank for so long.

Red1313

I'm kinda new at this but reds do get agrressive and territorial so everyone's advice above makes sense. I don't really know about stocking tanks so I don't know if this'll help you or if this is really a problem I don't really know anything about the size of the fish in your tank. However you could try shuffling things around and getting your red tank-mates that are either larger of as big as, that way he wouldn't be so inclined to harass them. However like I said I don't know if you have another tank or what the fish size in your tank are but it could be something to consider. but I'd try the above advise first.