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Joe
Junior Member
Username: joe
Post Number: 11
Registered: 12-2005
| | Posted on Friday, December 30, 2005 - 05:36 pm: | 
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I have three Gold Barbs in a 10 gal with three Danios. I've noticed that from time to time one of the Barbs will flick itself against the plants or rocks. The first time I saw this, I assumed a fungal problem and treated with antibiotic. But the behavior continued, so I didn't treat again and started watching more closely. They don't do this incessantly like they're in distress, and often don't do it at all. There is one that I have never seen do this, one that does it on occasion, and one (the largest) who I see do it every day. I've had these three for about a year. Their appearance is good, color is good, and there are no signs of any other problems either with them or with the Danios. pH is a little lower than I'd like, at 6.7. I just did the weekly water change four days ago (I do about 20 percent), and nitrates are 15, which is about par for this tank, which is basically fully loaded fish-wise. Temp is 73. It's been over four months since any new fish came into the tank, and that was a replacement Danio.
My question is: Is this normal behavior for Goldies? My guess has always been that the bigger one is one sex and the other two are the other (though I have no clue how to tell which is which) because of the way they sometimes pair off and do he-and-she type stuff. Do these fish just occasionally like to scratch themselves, or should I be concerned? They've basically behaved like this from day one, and seem to be perfectly content.
Remember to recycle...scrap your warships!
(USS Nathan Hale, SSBN 623, scrapped on April 5, 1994)
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russ
Ancient Member
Username: rasaqua
Post Number: 3546
Registered: 01-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, January 01, 2006 - 01:39 pm: |
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It doesn't appear to be a matter of real concern if this has been going on for a while with no other symptoms or issues taking place. Keep in mind that those Gold Barbs can reach a good four inches in total length and may need a bit more room to swim and do that "he-and-she type stuff". 
"For every difficult question, there is an answer that is clear and simple and wrong."
(George Bernard Shaw)
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Joe C
Junior Member
Username: joe
Post Number: 20
Registered: 12-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, January 01, 2006 - 04:11 pm: |
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Thanks, Russ. Yes, I've already noticed that although they were fine at first, they are now getting pretty cramped in the 10 (all are above 1 1/2 inches, and one is close to 2). I start cycling my Christmas present (my first 55) tomorrow, and these 3 Barbs will be the first to join the Danios when the nitrogen cycle is up and running (maybe with a couple of additional new friends to increase their tribe). I plan to keep the 10 going with Danios or White Clouds to use as a QT.
Remember to recycle...scrap your warships!
(USS Nathan Hale, SSBN 623, scrapped on April 5, 1994)
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Fish Health 