Cannibals?

F

Franky099

Large Fish
#1
Oct 22, 2002
440
0
0
44
southern Ohio
www.aquabid.com
#1
Hi Gang,

I woke up to a disturbing scene in my 55 gallon this morning.  My Tiger Barbs are turning on each other.  One was dead, and the others were eating it.  At least 2 others  have red patches on their sides where it looks like the others have been biting at them.  I have 10 total (including the dead one).  Why is this happening?  The other fish in the tank are 1 male betta (who is innocent for once), 2 panda cories, an orange spotted pleco, 4 sae, 1 cae, and a pictus cat.  All of the other fish are fine....and I dont think any of them are bothering the tigers.  Why have they turned on each other?  They have plenty of room and hiding spaces in the tank....so I dont think its due to lack of space.  They are the main fish in the tank other than the betta...all of the others stick to the bottom.
Thanks for your ideas and suggestions!!
Amy
 

Matt Nace

Matt Nace

Superstar Fish
#2
Oct 22, 2002
1,470
1
38
Pennsylvania
#2
Do you see them squaring off to fight often?

My rubys did pretty much. The one that would fight for the head  Male spot , they were usually pretty beat up.

If you haven't seen them fighting a lot...could it be one just died and they are eatting it? The red spots ..like missing scales?

Make sure the red spots are not a disease or infection.

Like you said..most Barbs will give to the head males..and go for cover.
 

K

keprydak

Large Fish
#4
Oct 22, 2002
165
0
0
38
TX
www.xanga.com
#4
Check and make sure you have enough females to go around. If you have 5 males and 5 females, that's probably why they're fighting. It's better to have a bunch of females, and only a couple of males to reduce the fighting. I have found that one male to every three or four females keeps the sparring down to just about none.

Just in case you don't know, Male tiger barbs have deep red fins, and slim bodies, with red noses. Females are not as gold in color, and much fuller in the middle. They are also missing the red coloring in the nose.

HTH
 

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