Single Cherry Barb & Guppy (males)--what to do

HI there! I'm new here And new to keeping fish other than a betta.

Before I went to the LFS, I intended to get 3 male guppies. But, when I got there, they only had 1 male left, and a tank full of females--and I did not want any baby fishies!

So, naturally, I made the mistake of listening to the LFS staff who said it would be totally okay to get a single guppy and two other freshwater fish of similar size. I ended up picking a single cherry barb and a single glowlight tetra for my (I know it's small-- 2 gallon tank), and when I asked about schooling the staff said they should get along perfectly fine since I have such a small tank and no space for a school of tetras or barbs.

I brought them all home and noticed that from the start, the tetra was standoffish and kind of a loner, but the guppy and the cherry barb chased each other in circles, seemed to play together, and explored all the areas of my tank together (I have some dense fake plants on the bottom and a tree structure with a cave off to the side, as well as a marimo moss ball in the tank along with a small heater but no filter. I do a 25% water change every night with conditioned water).

I did some research about the fish and learned that the tetra might be lonely and afraid of the guppy? But I also found out that the cherry barb might also be lonely and should not get along with the guppy.

Another thing is that the guppy eats EVERYTHING. The cherry barb maybe ate two tiny pieces of food which happened to float down in front of its face (otherwise it just swims right past the food), and the tetra hasn't eaten at all.It's been about 5 days since I got them now, and I'm still able to bring the fish back to the LFS (they have a 14 day policy). One thing I know for sure is that I'm going to bring the tetra back since he's definitely not very happy, but what about the cherry barb?

So my biggest question is: though the cherry barb and guppy are getting along and playing, should I return the barb as well and just keep the guppy (and maybe go to a different LFS for 1 or 2 more male guppies for him to play with)? Or leave the pair alone since they seem to be okay, and just have 2 fish instead of 3?

Thanks for any help I can get with this! I love watching the barb and guppy swim around together but maybe it would be best for them to be with their own kind...I just don't know!

Here's a picture of all 3:

 

I would return them all. The tank is too small and they all need more of their own species. Where do you buy your fish? I would get feeder(wild) guppies. They're small hardy and very easy to care for. Otherwise, ho with some shrimp, snails, or a betta.

 

I would return them all. The tank is too small and they all need more of their own species. Where do you buy your fish? I would get feeder(wild) guppies. They're small hardy and very easy to care for. Otherwise, ho with some shrimp, snails, or a betta.

I think a 2 gal might be too small for a betta even. The main problem here is the lack of filter. Could you possibly get a small sponge filter? I think that anything you put in there is going to need a filter or else you may be destined for problems. They are very cute fish though!

 

A friend of mine keeps her guppies in various sized tanks and bowls all generally around the 1.5-2 gallon range with no filter and they seem quiet happy (and reproduce like crazy). Though, she keeps the natural variety?

I've read that guppies don't really like having a filter since it's hard for them to swim in--the reason for my marimo moss ball and daily 25% water changes. I'll look into the sponge filter though. My main question is whether or not anyone thinks I should leave the cherry barb with the guppy, or switch for just guppies!

 

By the "natural" variety, do you mean wild guppies(the small silver fish sold as feeder fish)? Those are hardy. I have 3 adults and 9 fry, of which are large and the females are pregnant(they are in a 5 gal). I would not get any more fancy guppies. I put two fancy guppies in a 1.5 gal, and they were happy at first, but then they stayed at the bottom, so I moved them to my 20 gal.

 

By the "natural" variety, do you mean wild guppies(the small silver fish sold as feeder fish)? Those are hardy. I have 3 adults and 9 fry, of which are large and the females are pregnant(they are in a 5 gal). I would not get any more fancy guppies. I put two fancy guppies in a 1.5 gal, and they were happy at first, but then they stayed at the bottom, so I moved them to my 20 gal.

Yeah I meant the wild ones! I blanked for a second there.
Unfortunately my LFS don't carry the wild variety, and I really wanted something bright and active in my tank--so no snails/shrimp. My guppy is eating and pooing very well--I'm really not worried about him.

Just really wondering what to do with the cherry barb--he seems happy and plays with the guppy but I'm not sure if that's just a reaction since they're in a small space together and they're both pretty active.

 

Although the tank is a little small, for the moment the 1 guppy will be fine if you put in plans to upgrade in the future. Rehome the tetra and the barb though as they do really need a school. Also, that sponge filter is a good idea or you can get a small HOB filter that doesn't make a huge current.
Good luck!
~Mudkipz

 

I agree with AtomicMudkip, if you want the guppy, you'll need a sponge filter or HOB(hang-on-back) filter. Guppies need a least a 10 gallon. You might be able to get away with an absolute minimum of 5 gallons, but 10 is recommended.

 

Although the tank is a little small, for the moment the 1 guppy will be fine if you put in plans to upgrade in the future. Rehome the tetra and the barb though as they do really need a school. Also, that sponge filter is a good idea or you can get a small HOB filter that doesn't make a huge current.
Good luck!
~Mudkipz

Yes, I do plan on upgrading at some point, just not at this very moment (though I'm browsing my local craigslist for any tanks that would be good)!
I will be bringing the barb and tetra back to the store today--even though the barb seemed calm and played with the tetra, it finally ate something today (finally!) but did so by chasing the guppy/attacking it..seems to be asserting its place so the guppy didn't pig out again. Guppy seems fine but I'd rather not risk this being a daily thing and get his fins ripped!

Thanks for the advice everyone, it's helped.

 

The cherry barbs and glowlight tetras are schooling fish and need to be in groups of at least 6 of their own kind. Alison

 

The cherry barbs and glowlight tetras are schooling fish and need to be in groups of at least 6 of their own kind. Alison

Yep, I know that now! I wish I had known that while I was at the store!
I've brought both of them back to the store and got a second male fancy guppy to keep the original guppy company and they're getting along wonderfully

 

A 2 gal unfiltered tank is still inappropriate for 2 guppies. Can you upgrade your tank size within the week? If not, I'd return the guppies too, until you can get an appropriate tank. Always stock for the tank you have, not the one you want in the future.

 

A 2 gal unfiltered tank is still inappropriate for 2 guppies. Can you upgrade your tank size within the week? If not, I'd return the guppies too, until you can get an appropriate tank. Always stock for the tank you have, not the one you want in the future.

HI there--I know it seems to be a common thing around these forums, with people always saying anything smaller than 10gal is too small for any fish but quite honestly my friend has kept guppies in similar conditions for quite some times and they do very well.
I'm able to do the necessary water changes and tank maintenance necessary to run a small, unfiltered tank but thanks for the concern anyway!

 

There is a very big difference between surviving and thriving. Some fish can be very happy in a filtered 2.5 gal. A unfiltered 2 gal sounds pretty miserable for a fish though. Better than a bowl, maybe, but not ideal. You could live in a closet, but would you be happy?

 

I have to agree that your tank is unfortunately too small. Guppies are pretty active, and a 5 gallon is the bare, bare minimum. Heck, even Google agrees, and Google is notorious for recommending what's less than suitable.

 

Well, since the point has been repeated so many times, I thought I'd let you all know that I did manage to find a 10 gallon tank well within my budget.
Could we all be happy now and not compare fish in 2 gallon tanks to people being in closets? (I honestly never found that comparison to be a very good analogy since the space-to-mass ratio is just not the same at all)

We're all just doing our best for what we can have, and I did mention earlier I intended to upgrade. Not everyone can do so in a day though!

 

Well, since the point has been repeated so many times, I thought I'd let you all know that I did manage to find a 10 gallon tank well within my budget.
Could we all be happy now and not compare fish in 2 gallon tanks to people being in closets? (I honestly never found that comparison to be a very good analogy since the space-to-mass ratio is just not the same at all)

We're all just doing our best for what we can have, and I did mention earlier I intended to upgrade. Not everyone can do so in a day though!

Trust me, once you get the 10 gallon set up, you will see a difference in their behavior. Guppies are active and need the space to swim. Do you have a filter for it?

Also, when most people "plan" to upgrade, things tend to get in the way and keep it from happening. That's when problems start, I've witnessed it several times.

 

Trust me, once you get the 10 gallon set up, you will see a difference in their behavior. Guppies are active and need the space to swim. Do you have a filter for it?

Also, when most people "plan" to upgrade, things tend to get in the way and keep it from happening. That's when problems start, I've witnessed it several times.

I'm sure I will see a difference, and I know that typically the more space the better for them. Yes, I'll be getting a filter along with the tank!

The tank also has lighting and I was wondering about that--the room I keep my fish in is actually quite small and has a window that spans the whole wall. It's usually very bright in my room (except say, early mornings and evenings in the middle of winter!). Would I be needing that light very much?

 

Fish actually could care less about lighting. Unless you want to add live plants, it won't be a big deal. The sunlight may cause algae, however.

 

Fish actually could care less about lighting. Unless you want to add live plants, it won't be a big deal. The sunlight may cause algae, however.

Well, that works out well! I probably won't use the light unless I need to then (winter months). So far I haven't seen any algae issues, I've used the same setup for a betta fish for the past 3 years, probably because the tank is kept on the opposite wall away from the window.