Bully cherry barb....what should I do?

I have a male cherry barb who is a bully. During the day time (lights on), he runs one side of the tank. I've noticed he is the only fish that actively chases and is aggressive with everyone else. I'm pretty sure a couple of my females have torn fins from him, and now I have a pristella tetra with red marks on it. What should I do about this guy? I'd hate to separate him. The tank is moderately planted. I have 5 cherry barbs, and 6 pristella tetras. I have another 6 cherry barbs coming and 6 more pristellas. I'm hoping that lessens the aggression and stress.

 

How big is the tank?

 

How big is the tank?

Oh, good question! 55g

 

I think getting more cherry barbs (as you're doing) should help. I've never seen a cherry barb get aggressive, but other species (like tiger barbs) have issues like this all the time. The solution is usually to get more.

 

I don't have any advice but please let us know how adding the fish helps.

 

I don't have any advice but please let us know how adding the fish helps.

With schooling fishes (like barbs), the more fish in the school, the more they keep to their own kind. Furthermore, any dominant fish in the school will have their aggression spread out to more fish. If the school is large enough, no one fish will get picked on too much.

 

Thank you, Mudminnow. I'm excited to get the new fish and see what happens. I'm stunned he is so aggressive. I bought cherry barbs for their peaceful nature.

 

In my experience people overstate the aggression level. Is any of the other fish permanently pale? Reclusive? Evading that fish in a corner or at the surface? Any signs of actual peril?

I have another 6 cherry barbs coming and 6 more pristellas. I'm hoping that lessens the aggression and stress.

Yes, that will do and add more structure and plants! Just as important as appropriate group sizes. People tend to underestimate how much room bigger tanks have and many struggle to use that space effectively.

and now I have a pristella tetra with red marks on it.

https://www.fishlore.com/aquariumfi...ng-upward-with-red-marks.530245/#post-5218497
This one? I told you this is an internal infection and those happen randomly.

 

In my experience people overstate the aggression level. Is any of the other fish permanently pale? Reclusive? Evading that fish in a corner or at the surface? Any signs of actual peril?

Yes, that will do and add more structure and plants! Just as important as appropriate group sizes. People tend to underestimate how much room bigger tanks have and many struggle to use that space effectively.

https://www.fishlore.com/aquariumfi...ng-upward-with-red-marks.530245/#post-5218497
This one? I told you this is an internal infection and those happen randomly.

Hey! Thanks for the info! No, the aggression is not that bad; however, the fish will not go to 'his' side of the tank. Which is about 50% of it. I will definitely add more plants and structures. No, this is not the fish we talked about. This is brand new. This one has tiny little red marks on the skin. By the way, the other fish is currently doing better. The mark is clearly up, and he is back to being an active fish, swimming normal. I don't know if it will last, but we shall see.

 

No, the aggression is not that bad; however, the fish will not go to 'his' side of the tank. Which is about 50% of it.

Then I see no unusual behaviour.

No, this is not the fish we talked about. This is brand new. This one has tiny little red marks on the skin.

Pictures please. Still very (!) unlikely to be due to the barbs.

The mark is clearly up, and he is back to being an active fish, swimming normal. I don't know if it will last, but we shall see.

Good to hear!

 

Then I see no unusual behaviour.


Pictures please. Still very (!) unlikely to be due to the barbs.


Good to hear!

Thanks. Glad to know this is normal. I have tried and tried, I just can't get a picture of it. The marks are so small, I can't seem to get them in a photo. They are very small, and bright red.

 

I have tried and tried, I just can't get a picture of it. The marks are so small, I can't seem to get them in a photo. They are very small, and bright red.

Patience. We're some thousand kilometers apart and I'm going to leave from the computer now for a while anyway. Take your time. Not like the fish will drop dead in the meantime.

 

Patience. We're some thousand kilometers apart and I'm going to leave from the computer now for a while anyway. Take your time. Not like the fish will drop dead in the meantime.

I have never responded because the marks are gone. Crossing my fingers they stay gone