CalBears24

So I have 5 tiger barbs in all, and one of them was living in the tank by himself for several days until the newer four arrived. As soon as they were introduced, the biggest new fish and the original fish began to fight each other and swim in circles around each other, nipping all the while. I suppose the original tiger barb "won", and the next morning, I found the new four hovering in the corner, pale and slow, while the original fish swam freely and gave chase to all of them. I removed him into a plastic bag, floated him at the top of the tank, removed him for a while, and put him back in, and the same thing happened.

This morning, I took him back out into a plastic bag and he is currently going wild in it up at the top of the tank. With him removed, the other four fish get along pretty well (the smallest is actually the biggest nipper, then the largest, then two other same-sized ones). I've tried rearranging decorations, feeding, etc. Don't know what to do now. Can the tiger barb be taught to be more docile with more isolation or something? Should I remove him to a different location and then put him back in? All else that are in the tank are several ghost shrimp, and I don't have any more room for more tiger barbs/other fish.

Help Appreciated!
Thanks

lew2000

I had the same problem with a tiger barb (out of three that i introduced into a tank withthree others) I used a glass divider for about three days, the let all swim together - there was one who chased all of the others once in the tank (but did not do this with the others prior to being released in to the tank)- i removed and gave to a friend of mine who did not have Tiger Barbs - and it got along with the other fish. Either territorial male or just plane wanting to assert itself?? In talking to others, this behaviour, usually will not correct (same goes for a number of types of fish). Best bet would be to take back to LFS if possible or see if you can give to another person and inform them ahead of time, that is all i can think of.