aggressive tinfoil barb

Question
Hi, I've raise a tinfoil barb for several years in a 29 gal tank. He has gotten so large (approx 9-10 inches) so I thought I'd like to give him more room and setup a community tank. I setup a 80 gal where he and the Bala sharks, Gourami's would all have plenty of room. I got the tank up and running and waited for the tank to cycle. Bought the sharks and gourami's and moved everyone in at the same time so on one would have pre-estsblished territories. It's been a few days now and the big tinfoil barb has the rest of the tank in hiding. I know this is stressfull to the other fish and am wondering if they will ever calm down. How long can I wait without risking loosing the other fish? I still have the smaller tank setp and am wondering if I should just move the big guy back. He has been a looner for most of his life with me. One other thing, he has been eating feeders for years and for the past week I have him on blood worms and flake so he's probaly stressed as well. I want the 80 to be a easy going community.

Thanks
Carl
Lancaster, Ca

Answer
Hi Carl,
Thank you for your question. I once had three red tail tin foil barbs and they were huge also. Your tin foil barb probably bonded with you and sees the new critters as competition. If you move anybody back to the small tank, it should be the new guys. Anyway, an 80 gallon should be enough to make everybody happy. Things might calm down. Do you have adequate hiding places for everybody?
re. feeding. You know the real trick to a happy tank is to avoid over feeding.
http://steamboats.com/aquarium.html (read and heed)
You might also check with your aquarium supply shop and see if they will take the other fish back. They might. Some do if there are tank wars.
Anyway, you bought the big tank. They might take the new fish back if they want to keep you as a customer.
Pet fish bond with their care takers and like to be the "only fish." Despite what people think, fish do not experience "loneliness" and do not "need" other fish around.
I had a plecto for about eight years who grew so huge I had to buy a 30 gallon tank. He did not like having other fish around, although that is when I had the three tin foil barbs. Before that, he killed whatever creature I put in the tank. He wanted my undivided attention and was quite a character.
Write back if you want to discuss further.
Nori