Tiger Barb Question
Hi.  Been checking out your site since we started keeping tropical fish.  Very informative!!
<Thank you!>
My question; I've had a couple tiger barbs for a couple of months.  It almost looks like there is a very, very light film on them at times. The black bands don't seem as "black" as they used to.  When I looked at them with a flashlight, I could see a green color on the scales in the black bands.  I don't know if that is the normal color or not.
<This sounds as if it may be Costia (Ichthyobodo), Please see http://www/wetwebmedia.com/FWSubWebIndex/fwfshparasites.htm for more info on the disease and for treatment.>
The tank they are in is just about done cycling. They seem to be doing very well otherwise.  Eating, chasing, etc.
<This is very good.>
Is this a fungus or disease?  Or have I just been staring at the fish too long?!?
<Most likely a parasitic disease>
Appreciate your help!! Jan Emerson
<You're welcome! Ronni>

Sick tiger barbs?
Hi. First thanks so much for this website. I have just started to taking care of some tiger barbs and your site has helped ease much of my worries.
<Great to hear, thank you for the kind words!>
My two 20 gallon tanks have just finished cycling (one took a full month while the other took two weeks) and thankfully, I did not lose any of the barbs. (7 and 6 barbs on each tank, I only found out about the odd number tip last week.)  This past week however, I noticed that in my new tank, two of the tiger barbs looked like their black markings are slightly green. I noticed this in some of the tiger barbs on my first tank as well but now, these greenish stuff are gone without any treatment. In one of the posts here, one of you said that it may be Costia (Ichthyobodo).
<Costia/Ichthyobodo/Chilodonella/other 'skin slime disease' causatives really don't fit what you're describing.  That would appear more gray and be visible all over the sides of the fish, not restricted to only where the black is, and it would appear as though the skin were sloughing off.  It sounds to me like normal coloration for tiger barbs, truly.  There is even a green morph of the tiger barb, in which the black bands run together and are quite green instead of black.  I do not believe this is anything for you to worry about.>
Because of what happened to the tiger barbs in the first tank, I am thinking of waiting and see if it will disappear especially since the water conditions are much better now, but I am concerned that they might not be feeling too well. I am not sure if it is normal behaviour for two fishes to rub together (looks more like jostling for a ball, or trying to squeeze into a tight door but without the door).
<Hmm, this is probably just dominance struggles, trying to establish their pecking order.>
My first thought was that one of the fish was feeling itchy, and second thought was one of them (actually, Prince, the most playful one in the 2nd tank) was just trying to play with Spot (one of the "sick" fish) but Spot didn't want to.
<This probably isn't a concern, just keep an eye on them, and watch for any other issues.>
What do you think I should do? I am afraid of treating Spot and his/her other friend needlessly and subjecting them to stress again.
<Agreed.  I would not do anything until you see strong evidence convincing you of a particular illness.  All sounds well so far, just keep observing and enjoying your fish.>
I am thinking of getting a hospital tank but I can't seem to find info on what size is ok to use. Due to space constraints, I am thinking of getting the smallest one without being stingy on the comfort of the fish.
<Just about anything can be used in a pinch, so long as it is inert and watertight.  If you can swing space for a 10g, great, go for it.>
Another...How do you check if the fish are bloated because of overfeeding or if they are sick? I still haven't figured out how much to feed them that I am afraid I may be starving them (I feed them 3x, they seem to eat more though if I give them bloodworms so I am not sure if I am feeding them enough of the pellets).
<Oh my.... feeding them three times *daily*?  Well, if they're fat, consider that the reason.  Cut back to once daily.  While you're getting them back down to 'normal' sizes, it would be fine to skip a day here and there.>
Lastly, any recommendation on what materials I should be reading? I want to buy some more books but since they can be expensive (and some are not value for money) I'd like to check first before I buy. The aquarium books in the library are checked-out!
<Well, a couple of good beginners' books are "Setting Up a Freshwater Aquarium" by Gregory Skomal and "The Simple Guide to Freshwater Aquariums" by David E. Boruchowitz.  In the Boruchowitz book, the only thing that I wholeheartedly disagree with are his stocking suggestions in the back of the book; I really, REALLY disagree with some of his suggestions (such as keeping an Oscar in a 29g tank).  Beyond that, these are both decent books.  If you're up for a challenge, you might consider "Tropical Fishlopedia" by Mary Bailey and Peter Burgess; an excellent book, but I don't usually recommend this to children or beginners, it's really quite a lot of info to bombard oneself with when just starting out.>
Thanks so much and sorry for the long email.
<No apologies necessary, this is why we're here.  Wishing you and your barbs well,  -Sabrina.>
Jade

Speckled Tigers
I got 4 new tiger barbs a week ago, and 1 hour later 2 Guppies died. Now 2 of the Barbs swim fine if they are darting about, but when they are all together being still, the 2 swim nose down or upside down. Now, I just noticed tiny
white specs on their fins (all 4 of them).
Ammonia is perfect in tank.
Thanks a lot
<Your Tiger barbs have Ick. Use salt to cure. Read here on it's proper use to kill Ick. http://www.aquariumadvice.com/showquestion.php?faq=2&fldAuto=32 Take note of the life cycle and continue treatment for at least two weeks after the last spot drops. The ammonia in your tank is only perfect if at zero. You should be testing for ammonia, nitrite and nitrate. Do water changes to keep the first two at zero, nitrate below 20ppm. Read here on establishing bio filtration.  http://www.wetwebmedia.com/FWSubWebIndex/fwestcycling.htm

Sick albino tiger barb
Morning everyone. One of my albino tiger barbs is sick and I'm not sure what is. She can't swim straight anymore. She swims upside down and
in circles and it looks like she's wobbling when she swims.
<Yikes>
Her backend looks really weak as well. She also has what looks like two red sores on either side of her back right under her dorsal fin. She also spends a lot of time laying upside down in one of my plants like she's exhausted. As of yesterday she was still eating. Ant ideas of what it is or is there anything I can do for her?
<Maybe trouble with an all dry food diet... likely not a biological disease if your other barbs are not affected... maybe a congenital defect...>
I have her in a 35 gallon community tank. I always add aquarium salt when I do a water change. Oh and I do two water changes a month, and the water is kept at 77-78 degrees. There's an Emperor bio-wheel for filtration. The tank has been up and running for two years. Thanks for your help.
-Heather
<Sounds like a nice system and that you know what you're doing... What do you feed your fishes? I would try some fresh/frozen food, like brine shrimp, Daphnia once a day... perhaps a teaspoon of Epsom Salts per five gallons of water... Bob Fenner> 

All fish out ... Rambling re... cichlid, livestock/human responsibility, old tiger barbs?    10/3/06
Hello,
    I had a cichlid that got to
<Too>
big for my 20 gal, No one told me when I bought it at the pet store how big it was going to get.
<... Don't hold yourself in bad faith... The onus is upon you to investigate such matters...>
Now I try to do my own research before I buy.
<Yay!>
I gave him to a place that I thought would attract serious fish keepers, he was up to around 6 inches, (a peacock)
<Beautiful animals>
and was in that tank a couple of years by himself. He was  in hard water with a ph at or above 8.4. I put 3  young tiger barbs in immediately after  the cichlid was given away , then a  week and a half  later I put three more young tigers in. This tank is at my mothers' house so I was able to check 4 days later and 3 died one from the first group and two from the second. I have a ten gal. up and running so I put them  in this tank. I see one looks to have fin rot on the caudal and anal fin, so I put in Nitrofurazone and Furazolidone in yesterday, all is o.k. so far. My question is, was the pH. to high for them or was the water to hard?
<Mmm, not for this species... or shouldn't have been should I state. To some extent depends on the conditions these fish were kept, reared in... but likely had stress et al. issues...>
One of those barbs from the first group was a couple year old tiger from that ten gal. that there in now, where he lived in not so hard with lower p. h.
<Ahh!>
He seemed a little frantic as time went on but his color was good. Over the 2 weeks or so his color is still good but he looks gaunt( if fish can look gaunt).
<Oh yes, can>
He is the one that has the fins that look ragged. Its not bad yet but his over all appearance is not healthy, and he is not eating well. Another question is the tank that the tigers were in that is now empty and has been for 2 days, are the bacteria in that tank still active or do I need to start from scratch with this tank if I am going to put fish in it again?
       <Yes to the bacteria still being there, useful...>                                                                                                                                            Thank you Sherri
<...? Maybe the Barbs are/were just "old"... Please read here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/FWSubWebIndex/BarbsDaniosRasborasArt.htm
and the linked files above. Bob Fenner>

Tiger Barbs and fin recovery    7/20/06
Great web page, we have really enjoyed it and learned a lot. I think you have saved a lot of fish!
<Aye, yes>
I have a twenty gallon tank with six Tiger Barbs. We started with three Tiger Barbs and added three more after they spent time in the quarantine
tank. The three / three idea was courtesy of the LFS. Both tanks have cycled and water tests look good.
We added the second three barbs a week ago and last night I noticed one of the Barbs had a damaged tail fin.
<Not uncommon... nippy species>
He appears well otherwise, so I suspect he was "nipped" by a tank mate. One of the barbs is VERY dominant.
<Very common>
I quickly moved the injured fish to the quarantine tank. Because the damage doesn't appear to go too far into the fin, will the fin heal?
<Likely so, yes>
How is the little guy going to fare on his own during recovery?
<Should be fine>
I hear Tiger barbs don't care to be alone. Should I have removed the aggressive Barb?
<Keep observing... you should be able to discern who the culprit is... I would "switch out" the mean one for the nipped one in a few weeks when the latter is healed... And consider adding or removing one to maintain this batch in an odd-numbered school... Much better for dynamics...>
(I'm not sure he's the guilty one)
Thanks
Tom
<You will be. Bob Fenner>

Mass Tiger Barb deaths  - 5/5/2006
Hi Crew!
<<Greetings, Steve. Tom here.>>
Thanks in advance for your wonderful work.  I've been a fan for a long time, and find your site very helpful when Googling for answers.  This time, though, I'm at wit's end and am moved to write.
<<Thanks for the kind and encouraging words, Steve. Now, let's see what's going on...>>
My setup is a freshwater 72 gallon bow.  Tank is planted with hornwort and has a gravel substrate.  Two AquaClear 50 (the new designation; not the old) filters, two four-foot daylight fluorescents, one three-foot actinic, and one-three foot daylight fluorescent; all lights on timers. A few natural rocks.  Tank is kept at 77 to 78 degrees.  14 percent water changes are performed every ten days using tap water and chorine/chloramine remover/conditioner.  Water quality has always been consistent since cycling:  Ammonia = Zero, Nitrites = Zero, Nitrates <5, pH = 7.6.  Aquarium salt is added occasionally, but never enough to register more than a flicker on my specific gravity tester, which has as it's lowest reading 1.010 (the needle rests at what would be 1.008).  I also have an adjustable aerator which comes on when the lights go off. I keep it at a very low setting.
<<Good filtration (I'm a fan of these filters), conditions exceptional, good-sized tank. All seems very good, so far.>>
The current population consists of 9 diamond tetras, 11 cardinal tetras, 4 bloodfin tetras, 3 red velvet swordtails, 3 Siamese algae eaters (definitely not Chinese), one silver molly, one black Sailfin molly, one Otocinclus, and, until yesterday, 7 tiger barbs.  All fish were added over an initial 2 or 3 month period after cycling, with the exception of the diamonds which were used after the first week of cycling (no losses ever with them).
<<I confess to being a proponent of fishless cycling but, no harm here. Definitely no over-stocking issues.>>
I keep a running log of absolutely everything that happens to the tank; whether changing water, cleaning a filter, or scrubbing algae.  And the tank finished cycling 8 months ago.
<<Love this; an excellent practice!>>
Losses over that 8 month period have been occasional. Two cardinals at widely separated intervals (one died about a week after coming home from the LFS, and the other died about 6 weeks ago colorless and bloated), three bloodfins also at widely separated intervals (two were obviously weak sisters from the LFS, another died within a month after coming home and had a deep internal whiteness to the flesh just behind the dorsal; thought perhaps it might be tetra disease, but no problems since), and one swordtail which was lost about a week after she gave birth five weeks ago (she had developed an internal lump on one side about where an ovary or womb would be and was extremely lethargic after delivering fry until her death).
<<These occurrences go, sadly, with the territory - hopefully minimally, though.>>
The swordtails seem to require more brackish water than I'm willing to keep.  Every two months or so, they develop a very thin whitish film (not grainy at all) and will flash a bit, and I transfer them to a quarantine tank where I slowly add salt to a brackish level.  They remain there for a day or two or three, perk right up, film gone, whereupon I do one partial water change before putting them back in the tank.
<<Interesting treatment of the Swordtails. I would typically expect the need for higher salinity levels with Mollies rather than Swordtails or Platys. (The three are so closely associated I sometimes start thinking of them as one fish with different names.) :)>>
I feed flake three times a day; about as much as can be consumed in a minute.  Every other day I substitute thawed bloodworms for one of the flake feedings.  So, I see these fish quite often (I work at home).
<<Again, good feeding practice.>>
Getting to the point:  Yesterday afternoon I found that four of the tigers had died.  No obvious signs of distress or disease.  At that
time, I noticed that one of the others was breathing very rapidly and pointing up (normally they point down when resting or displaying).  The other two were fine, chasing each other normally.  I bagged the four dead ones (two males, two females) and refrigerated for later transport to the LFS.  By the time I was ready to leave, the distressed one had passed, and I bagged him too.
<<I'm sorry and, amazed, to hear this.>>
A note on the LFS:  This is a large aquarium store which distributes fish to some of the chain stores in the area.  Fish and aquarium
supplies only; no other pets.  The personnel there have always been a knowledgeable group.
<<Okay.>>
I took the fish and a bottle of water for testing.  Their test kits are no better than mine (I use chemical-type tests), and their results matched mine.  No answers there.  He noted that my tigers were a bit fat, but not too much.  In counter-point I mentioned that the tigers know no limits when competing with the other fish for food, which is why I feed the way I do.  He suggested also that I do more frequent water changes for the time being, with which I concurred.  By the time I got home, another tiger had died.  This was about three hours since the one before; three hours which go from no symptoms to death.
<<In your case, the more-frequent water changes would be placebo-like in nature. Not bad advice, at all, and frequently recommended by me/us. However, I still don't see a "connection" here.>>
The only change I've made to the normal tank routine of the past several months is one which coincides with the death of the fish.  I added a second aerator the night before all these fish died, mostly for the attached night light.  It's an Ario 4.  Like the first aerator, I keep this one on the lowest power setting.  I mentioned that to the LFS guy, and, while we're both thinking that it's in the realm of possibility that the new device is leaching something into the water, it's highly unlikely.
<<Agreed.>>
So, I did a partial water change last night, and rinsed the new light/aerator and sponge thoroughly and put it back in the tank.  This
morning the final tiger was symptomatic and then died a short time later.
Up until this point, all the other fish have been fine.  As I started writing this, I went to check again.  One of the cardinals has died.  No symptoms, and his color was still vivid, which is unusual in a dying cardinal.
<<Agreed once more.>>
To sum up, I don't want to lead me or you down any paths, but for all the tigers to have died in 24 hours with no other fish affected seems unusual in the extreme, especially since tigers are not an animal given to delicacy when compared to some of the others I have.  That one of the cardinals has died just outside that 24 hour envelope may be construed as related, but inconclusive given their more delicate nature.
I put all this to you.  
<<Steve, you don't mention whether, or not, any of your fish were quarantined (two weeks minimum) prior to being introduced into the display tank. Frankly, while I would highly recommend this, to the point of being a "given", I don't believe your Tigers necessarily came from the distributor sick. Certainly not sick enough to die in such a short period of time without any symptoms. Something going on in your tank killed these fish and the only thing that "jumps out" at me is stray electrical voltage from the new night light/aerator.
Am I doing some "grasping" here. Oh, yes! But, the coincidence of adding the new equipment with the sudden death of these animals is pretty compelling. If your power source isn't on a "ground fault interrupter" (GFI) circuit, please rectify this immediately. At the minimum, there are "plug-in" GFI's available at Home Depot, Lowe's, et. al., that can be plugged into your electrical outlet. (These resemble plug-in surge suppressors.)
As to why the Barbs were the only fish affected (except for, potentially, your Cardinal) under my hypothesis, I can't, honestly, give you a good answer. Stress from being handled/moved leading to susceptibility, perhaps? Relative size? Does the aquarium salt without acclimation play a factor? Unknowns, unfortunately.>>
Thanks again for your time.
Steve in Ohio.
<<Wish I had a "silver bullet" answer for you, Steve. Tom>>

Green Tiger Barbs - at a loss...   3/16/06
Bob,
<Ralph>
I've a 90 gallon that I recently switched back to freshwater.  Original intent was to have mostly cichlids, again.  Only real aggressive fish was to be a Green Terror ( my last was essentially a peacekeeper who bothered no one except feeders though he got to be 10").
<Yikes!>
Looking at some other sites I found a couple decent compatibility lists and have also ended up with some barbs as well.
<Easygoing ones/species I trust>
The only problem I keep having is the loss of green tiger barbs.  I've lost seven from three different batches from the same LFS.
<Mmm, know that these are sometimes "wanky" from dealers... are raised in the Far East, often "hormone treated" to boost color... That this degrades their health otherwise... often lost on/near arrival anomalously...>
I've currently 3 more from another store - one has nipped fins and is acting a little odd.  As for the goners- two for sure had nipped fins especially dorsal tail.  The last two had upper fins that looked like they were flaying/separating - like a feather and for a week or so I would catch the one upside down as if dead until another fish would come near!  No signs of any Ick, Fungus, rot or anything else apparently wrong.
I am at a loss as to what is going on- the goners were the largest of the Barbs..  I've two Albino Tiger Barbs, four Tiger barbs,
<And these are the same species... mixable>
two rosy, one gold and four longer (tigerish) barbs.  They have been doing great and most have been in the tank since the beginning (@3 months).  Ammonia, Nitrites, Nitrates are great.  Ph and Temp acceptable for all.
I've also two Giant Danios, one Plecostomus, one Green Terror, one Jewel Cichlid, a pair of Rainbow Cichlids, one small Firemouth, a Cat, and a couple 1/2-3/4" Africans. ( .99 cent sale).
<Mmm, well, the cichlids might be working the new Green Barbs woe...>
They are feed a variety of dried, pellet, flake, frozen and live food.  Today I bought more live Brine shrimp and some feeder guppies.  The largest fish are one of the Danios and the Rainbows 3" - 3 1/2".
Other than feeder guppies I've lost no fish other than the aforementioned Green Tiger Barbs.
Plenty of caves, plants and wood for hiding.
Thanks for your time.
Ralph L Thieleman
<I encourage you to "harden" a new batch of these barbs... buy, place them in another tank, moving water from your ninety for water changes... for a few to several weeks. When transferring to your main tank, do move about the decor items there (to disrupt territories, impose a new dynamic)... If there is "psychological" as well as metabolic room for them all, this should do it. Bob Fenner>

Re: Green Tiger Barbs - at a loss...      3/17/06
Bob,
<Ralph>
Thanks for the reply.
<Welcome>
I still don't understand why only the green ones.  I had them First, in-between and now last.  I see no one harassing them.  With the first ones I did see them bothering each other.  I see the longer Barbs "playing" and chasing each other as well as cichlids chasing other cichlids.
<I do believe these "green" sports are less hardy than their brethren period...>
I again have a green that since his lower tail looks chewed has become more solitary the past week but I've another green now that his top fin looks likes  it is fraying like some others had.
One of them looked like he was sideways at the top last weekend as well.  Why only the greens?
<Genetics? Poorer care in Singapore where they very likely originated?>
Some cichlids have had their tails chewed on by other cichlids.  One even lost an eye.  No deaths.  Just Green Tiger Barbs.  And again I see no signs of them getting picked on even by each other, especially with these last three.
<Perhaps the green ones are more "attractive" to whoever may be harassing them (likely the Terror, at night)... This is a common phenomenon (differential mortality/predation based on color, markings... a fave thesis project some years back)>
If I lose these I'll most likely give up on that variation.
Thanks again,
Ralph L Thieleman
<I don't blame you... There are other species of barbs... though your system is over-stocked psychologically now... Bob Fenner>

Tiger Barbs And Exophthalmia - 11/15/2005
Hey guys,
<And gals - Sabrina with you today.>
I have a question about what seems to be an eye infection in one of my tiger barbs.
<Alright.>
I have a lightly stocked 72 gallon planted community tank. My parameters are all good, pH 6.8-7, nitrites, ammonia all 0.
<Great. Nitrate?>
Recently one of tiger barbs developed a cloudy, popped out eye. Only one eye developed this. I've had them for a couple of years with no problems, and as no other fish, tigers or others, displayed this, I decided to watch and see if it was a sign of natural age related disease.
<It actually may be injury-related.>
I do weekly or biweekly water changes and since my parameters are fine I do not think it is a water quality issue.
<Check those nitrate readings. This can impact exophthalmia/pop-eye.>
If it was, then other fish would display signs of stress as well most likely. I just noticed that the barb died and a second one developed the same popped out, clouded eye (though it isn't as developed yet). Otherwise it also seems fine, as do all of the other fish. Does anyone have experience with this? How would I definitely diagnose and treat it?
<I would first suspect injury, here.... Fish have a natural tendency to bite at eyes. Tiger barbs are nippy animals. Try watching them for a bit and see if you see any aggressive behaviour among them, or if perhaps one fish specifically is causing the others extraordinary amounts of stress.>
All help is appreciated. At this point I wouldn't bother quarantining because if it has been transmitted than most likely it is in the water already, unless the treatments would kill the plants. 
<Mm, better to pull the affected fish.... Even if it is a bacterial infection of some sort, it may not have transmitted to other fish as yet. Furthermore, if the animal HAS been injured, it will give it time to recover.>
Thanks, -Eric
<Wishing you well, -Sabrina>

Tiger Barbs And Exophthalmia - II - 11/16/2005
Thanks for the advice. I will watch and see if there is an overly aggressive behavior.
<Excellent.>
I haven't tested for nitrates because all of the test kits I have only include nitrite tests so I was under the impression that I can only infer my nitrates from my nitrites.
<The two are actually quite different. One can be quite low, the other quite high.... do please try to find a test kit for nitrate and check on it.>
Eric
<Wishing you well, -Sabrina>

Barb, odd growth  9/5/05
One of our tiger barbs has developed an odd, pink growth over one of his eyes.  It's difficult to get a good look at, because he's still behaving normally (i.e., never sitting still) but from symptoms I've read it doesn't sound like it's pop eye, because it's not the eye itself but a growth above the eye that is sticking out.  In addition, the scales midway down his length on the same side as the growth appear to be developing a sore or irritated patch.  Any thoughts?  By the way, you guys are the best, you've helped us out a bunch in the past.
Greg and Debbie.
<Likely resultant from a physical injury... Please read here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/FWSubWebIndex/BDRDisFAQs.htm
Bob Fenner>