120 Gallon Advice

Hello everyone! Hope life is treating everyone well! I’m seeking some advice on what my next move should be with my 120 gallon tank.
Here’s the scenario:

Heavily planted 120 gallon tank with lots of hiding spaces.
1 7in Bristlenose (Clown) Pleco
1 7in Rainbow Shark
1 6in Raphael Catfish
8 5-6in Clown Loaches (I edited this after getting actual measurements)
(Previously 3 full-size Gold Barbs)

Parameters: amm/nitrite/nitrate 0,0,40
2 Weekly water changes
82 Degrees
2 Filters w/ over 600GPH + UV sterilizer
Prime + Smart Start + Seachem Fert.
pH: Hovers between 6.8-7.2 depending on the season/rainfall (well water)
Recently, my rainbow shark has become increasingly aggressive. He does NOT bother the Pleco or catfish. He beat the barbs up so badly I moved them into a new tank. (On this: there were only 3 barbs so I figure he picked on them as an alpha considering they had no “school”, the reason I only had 3 is a long story that has nothing to do w the shark and needless to say my plan was never to have only 3 barbs lol.) Now I’m wondering if he’s the one who needs to be moved and where to go next…

However, his behavior is strange… he’s most aggressive in the morning AFTER feeding time. I always make sure there’s plenty of food. There’s never much nipping. I’ve only noticed maybe one or two of my clowns fins have been nipped and it’s usually healed over night. His aggression comes in the form of singling out a loach chasing it around the tank until he loses the race. Occasionally he will swim menacingly over them and twitch with his fins all extended. However come right before the lights turn off for approx 2-3 hours he bothers no one and the entire tank is peaceful. Once the lights are off it seems he either joins them for bed, or sleeps in the center of the tank. The whole situation has me confused and any input would be very appreciated on what to do next. Here are a few solutions ive concocted…
First to touch on the loaches; the loaches aren’t showing signs of stress. They still forage, lay in a loach pile, and dance on the glass when they see me. I see no difference in their behavior besides how they act with the shark. (The larger ones however are the most shy)
Should I move the shark solo into the 20G and return my gold barbs to the 120?
Do I need not be worried about what I’m observing?
Should I switch up decor? (DEFINITELY not preferred)
I would be willing to add more plants or driftwood if that could help….
I have also considered adding a school of tiger barbs (10-15) but I’m not sure what the right move is here.
Alternatively; Should I seek out 7-12 Golden Barbs paired with my 3 and return them to the 120 once they are healed? Obviously I don’t want to put anything (else) at risk especially something being brought in for a purpose. Animal care and providing top quality conditions is my NUMBER ONE GOAL.
Thanks, Emily

 

I was watching a video on sharks once and i forget if it was the rainbow or red-tailed shark(look the same to me, usually), they suggested keeping in a tank with other aggressive fish, or bigger fish.

 

I think your shark is owewelmed by all the other bottom feeders. He wants to be the dominent bottom feeder, but he cant, so he is mad and stressed. His behavior could hurt the other fish, even start an ich infestation that hurts the entire tank. I would take him out of there, A 20 gallon tank is not ideal for him, but if thats all you have, you could look into getting a larger tank soon. The tiger barbs could likly live in 55 gallon with the shark. The gold barbs could be ok in the large tank once the shark is out.

 

Definitely rid the main tank of the Shark. They are a dime a dozen & pose a substantial risk to your extremely expensive Clown Loaches.
The Shark varieties are beautiful fish but have a well deserved reputation for being a nuisance.

 

A201 Noroomforshoe Betta'sAnonymous i made the decision to move the shark out of the 120gallon. I put him into the 20gallon with a bunch of plants and hiding spots and only a mystery and nerite snail.
The gold barbs are much happier back in the 120!

Follow up question; when at the fish store yesterday purchasing food I noticed they had fire barbs, and also this misfit Barb which looked to be a black ruby. I’d like to provide my Golden Barbs with a family and was considering going to pick up these fire barbs. Does anyone here have experience with mixing sub species within a school?

 

Your tank is plenty big enough for several different schools of Barbs.
I'm not sure exactly what Fire Barbs are, maybe aka Rosy Barbs.
I doubt if your current Barb stock would school with different species of Barbs, but it's likely all the Barbs will get along well together.
Look at Denison Barbs & Filament Barbs if available in your area.

 

Your tank is plenty big enough for several different schools of Barbs.
I'm not sure exactly what Fire Barbs are, maybe aka Rosy Barbs.
I doubt if your current Barb stock would school with different species of Barbs, but it's likely all the Barbs will get along well together.
Look at Denison Barbs & Filament Barbs if available in your area.

Good to know! My current barbs are schooling with my loaches, so even if they don’t school with the new barbs, they’ve got their loach buddies. They seem happy but I definitely need more going on in my tanks. They were labeled fire barbs at the store but I assume your correct in that they’re Rosey barbs. I have a very healthy selection around me for fish, I might just take home that lonely solo Barb too.

 

Sounds like a good idea to me. I'm a big fan of Barbs & Loaches.
I keep 2x Tinfoils, 12x Filaments & 6x Tiger Barbs, 5x Red Tail, 5x YoYo & 1x Tiger Loach.

 

Fire babrs are a very cool fish, I can see why you want them, they are a simaler size as gold babs, the too species should be happy to share a tank, but they are not likely to "school" with the gold barbs. So you need to build up the school of gold barbs.

 

Fire babrs are a very cool fish, I can see why you want them, they are a simaler size as gold babs, the too species should be happy to share a tank, but they are not likely to "school" with the gold barbs. So you need to build up the school of gold barbs.

The biggest issue right now is finding appropriately sized Golden barbs. The only ones I am able to find would be a snack for my catfish due to their size.

 

I get it, I have been down that road a million times. I want to suggest a grow-out tank, but I'm assuming if that was an option you would already be doing it.