bullying fish

Question
QUESTION: Hi Ron

I have a 60L tank with 5 tiger barbs, red tail shark and a bronze cory originally. then about 3 weeks ago I added 3 green barbs and 3 albino barbs, over the space of 3 weeks 5 have died, I am only left with one albino barb. The water conditions have been perfect and there have been no signs of disease. the first fish to go was chased relentlessly and we woke up one morning to find he had very little fins left. we removed him, no other fish had been bullied to that extent, what do you think, the advice from my local dealer was to add even more barbs! but as I only have a small tank im not sure what to do..

many thanks
naomi

ANSWER: Hi Naomi,
 Adding more barbs won't help.  Adding structure (plants -- live or plastic; wood and/or rock) will help a lot.  Structure divides up the space and provides hiding places for fish that are being chased.

-- Ron
  rcoleman@cichlidresearch.com
  Cichlid Research Home Page <http://cichlidresearch.com>


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Ron

I do have a good piece of wood that doubles as a cave,  rock that is also a cave, 7 real plants and 3 plastic, so there is plenty of space for them to hide. Is it possible that the 5 tiger barbs I had originally have formed some kind of hierarchy and will not allow any more barbs in? I thought all kinds of barbs could live together fairly well.

Regards
naomi

Answer
Hi Naomi,
  Yes it is very possible that they have sorted out their pecking order and will not let anyone else in.   

  I have to disagree about the "all kinds of barbs could live together fairly well".   Tiger barbs in particular don't play well with others.

-- Ron
  rcoleman@cichlidresearch.com
  Cichlid Research Home Page <http://cichlidresearch.com>