attack of the tinfoil barb

We used to have 3 tfb's all younge, around 3 inches long. One morning when I got up, 2 of them were dead, and the other looked like it had a bloody nose. I couldn't figure out what happened to the 2 that parrished, until we picked up 2 more to replace the 2 we lost. After about 3 days of the new fish being entered into the tank, the original tfb began violently ramming itself relentlesly into the 2 new ones. We witnessed it miss and slam into the tank (hmmm maybe that is how it got the bloody nose). Eventually we had to remove him from the tank or risk losing 2 more peaceful fish. (it also chased after the other fish in the tank). Has anyone seen this type of behaviour in these barbs.

 

No I can't say that I have that is so weird!

 

I have not seen this behavior, although many barbs need a school of at least 6 individuals in order to lessen or eliminate aggression.

Tinfoil barbs really need more room than can be provided in any home aquarium, since they mature at around 12" and are very lively.

 

I have a 75 g tank, that's plenty of room

 

I have 3 one is 9inches the other 2 are about 3 inches. They are in a 150 Gallon which I can say for sure is not enough room. The tank is big enough for fish that size, but TFBs can be sporadic swimmers so technically they need a bigger tank than usual. My largest always has a busted up face, but doesn't have an aggressive bone in his body. I think most of his injury comes from jumping and hitting the glass top. One time, when I was moving, he jumped in the bucket and knocked himself out on the lid. I had the lid on because he'd already jumped out of the bucket. They are big time jumpers especially if they feel confined. I hear mine bash himself on the top at night and he has lots of "room" and my water quality is AOK. I have to close the lid fast after feeding just so I don't get wet from the splashing.