Cherry Barb Unactive

Hello,I have recently got a 10 gallon fish tank and have gotten 2 Corey cats 2 cherry barbs and 2 bloodfin tetras they all seem like they are doing good except for one female chatty barb who is staying toward the bottom of the tank and is starting to be less active than the male cherry barb. Does anyone have an answer?

The coloration around the cherry barbs gills are also a little red but I don't know if all cherry barbs have that or not

 

Welcome to FishLore!

Okay...you may have several problems that alone or in combination may be effecting your cherry barb.

First of all, is the tank cycled? It would be helpful if you could post your ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and pH levels. Red gills can be a sign of elevated ammonia levels, as can odd behavior (such as hiding out and being inactive).

You next issue is that cherry barbs, bloodfin tetras and cory cats are all schooling fish and need to be kept in schools to be happy and secure. Generally, you would want a school of at least 5 of each fish. If not kept in proper schools, the fish can become stressed, which can lead to disease and odd behaviour.

But that now dovetails into your next problem. Your tank size...it is really too small for you to have proper schools of all the fish you have. Cory cats really require a 20 gallon (long not high) as a minimum size tank. I think cherry barbs and bloodfin tetras may require a 20 gallon also, but I'm not 100% sure on that since I've never kept them (but someone will hopefully correct me if I am wrong).

Here is a link you may find helpful:
Stocking List for 10 Gallons

Sorry it was all bad news, with no easy answer, but don't feel bad, almost everyone here started of on the wrong foot. You just seem to get terrible advice from fish stores, which is surprising since you would think they would be experts. But their first priorities to sell fish and products, not ensure you have a healthy, properly stocked tank. In fact, it seems like it is their best interest to have your tank having problems, that way they can start selling you all kinds of meds and stuff.

Best of luck and feel free to ask any additional questions you may have.

 

Welcome to FishLore!

Okay...you may have several problems that alone or in combination may be effecting your cherry barb.

First of all, is the tank cycled? It would be helpful if you could post your ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and pH levels. Red gills can be a sign of elevated ammonia levels, as can odd behavior (such as hiding out and being inactive).

You next issue is that cherry barbs, bloodfin tetras and cory cats are all schooling fish and need to be kept in schools to be happy and secure. Generally, you would want a school of at least 5 of each fish. If not kept in proper schools, the fish can become stressed, which can lead to disease and odd behaviour.

But that now dovetails into your next problem. Your tank size...it is really too small for you to have proper schools of all the fish you have. Cory cats really require a 20 gallon (long not high) as a minimum size tank. I think cherry barbs and bloodfin tetras may require a 20 gallon also, but I'm not 100% sure on that since I've never kept them (but someone will hopefully correct me if I am wrong).

Here is a link you may find helpful:
Stocking List for 10 Gallons

Sorry it was all bad news, with no easy answer, but don't feel bad, almost everyone here started of on the wrong foot. You just seem to get terrible advice from fish stores, which is surprising since you would think they would be experts. But their first priorities to sell fish and products, not ensure you have a healthy, properly stocked tank. In fact, it seems like it is their best interest to have your tank having problems, that way they can start selling you all kinds of meds and stuff.

Best of luck and feel free to ask any additional questions you may have.

Thanks for the feedback! I don’t think I’ll have the cherrys Corey’s and blood fins anymore but this morning she seems to be doing better and more active but I don’t know what I should do

Thanks for the feedback! I don’t think I’ll have the cherrys Corey’s and blood fins anymore but this morning she seems to be doing better and more active but I don’t know what I should do

Also what kind of fish would you recommend instead of the other fish

 

If you check out the link I provided there are tons of stocking options. But I would say an easy choice would be either a few platies or some guppies. Or a lone betta.

 

If you check out the link I provided there are tons of stocking options. But I would say an easy choice would be either a few platies or some guppies. Or a lone betta.

Hey there again so I ended up keeping the Corey’s and got rid of the barbs and tetras I got 6 black neon tetras I think this is a good fit for me thanks for the feedback!

 

You are welcome!

 

You are welcome!

Oh one more question do you think I could put one more Corey in there or not?

 

Well...really you shouldn't have any cories in a 10 gallon tank, since they require a 20 gallon (high) minimum. And to get a proper school, you should have at least 5 which definitely would not work with that tank...so, if you are dead set on keeping the cories I would just stay with the two you have currently. No use in making a bad situation worse.