Fin Nippers

Discussion in 'Freshwater Fish' started by Athenaarie, Jul 24, 2011.

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  1. Athenaarie

    Athenaarie Plankton

    Joined:
    Jul 24, 2011
    Messages:
    1
    Location:
    Alabama
    I have a 55 gallon tank with the following fish

    2 Pink Kissing Gourami
    2 Blue 3 spot Gourami
    2 Tiger Barbs
    2 Beta Sharks
    2 Plactamous (sp) (catfish looking guys bottom swimmers)
    1 algea eater
    2 puffer fish

    Recently I noticed the 1 of the 2 blue gourami, both pink gourami, and both puffers have been fin nipped. Which of these is most likely the criminal?

    Someone told me if I kept the water warmer they would be less likely to nip. Is this true?

    Help!
     
    Athenaarie, Jul 24, 2011
    Athenaarie, Jul 24, 2011
    #1

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  2. Mr. Bill

    Mr. Bill Native Floridian

    Joined:
    May 28, 2011
    Messages:
    4,874
    Location:
    USA
    I would suspect the tiger barbs first. They are notorious for nipping and harassing less aggressive tankmates, despite the difference in size.

    Raising the water temp is a bad idea... if in fact it did stop the fin-nipping, it would only be because it's stressing the fish. The biggest problem is that it will stress ALL the fish in the tank which may eventually kill them. Basically there is nothing you can do to change the nature of a fish. You either live with it or remove them.
     
    Mr. Bill, Jul 25, 2011
    Mr. Bill, Jul 25, 2011
    #2
  3. DustinB32

    DustinB32 Spanish Shawl Nudibranch

    Joined:
    Apr 4, 2011
    Messages:
    92
    Location:
    Bushkill, Pennsylvania
    definitely the tiger barbs. Keeping them in a small school will usually cut down on the fin nipping.
     
    DustinB32, Jul 27, 2011
    DustinB32, Jul 27, 2011
    #3