[angella]

Well I probably totally deserve this... Ugh.

Went to Petsmart to get guppies, and ended up getting three Madagascar Rainbowfish for the 55gal as well... Bad idea.
The 55gal hasn't had a dead or sick fish in like two years, and this morning I just took out THREE red cherry barbs that were floating near the top?!
I counted and all the harlequin rasboras are doing well, and the remaining barbs seem that way too.
Both the baby barbs are still there, and my Powder Blue Dwarf Gourami male is fine.
At first I was like WOW so much for peaceful fish but then I think one of the Rainbowfish has ick... and it looks like one of my male cherry barbs may have it too...

Everyone is eating as they always do, except the male cherry barb with possible ick.
And I actually just saw one of the rainbowfish chase away a harlequin. UGHHHHHH.
I haven't had a sick fish in a while I only have Wardley Ick away.

Should I remove them?

 

[angella]

Another red cherry barb, this a large healthy female, is suddenly dead. -.-
Ugh.

Well, spending $8 each for these fish is loss I'm rather irritated about. Should have just left things as they were...
Lesson learned.

 

[Olympia]

Sorry about your losses.
Does your tank have a lot of cover and hiding places?

Ich is from stress, so it's very likely that the rainbows are lashing out at your other fish, causing stress. Stress can kill fish pretty quickly..

As for compatibility, the rainbows shouldn't be lashing out so much... 3 is too small for a school. If you want to keep them (I'm guessing you may want to take them back after all this), they should be kept in a group of at least 6, thought more is better... That and a lot of cover should make them more peaceful. It's quite common for fish without enough of their own kind to become either really timid, or really aggressive.

 

[angella]

Sorry about your losses.
Does your tank have a lot of cover and hiding places?

Ich is from stress, so it's very likely that the rainbows are lashing out at your other fish, causing stress. Stress can kill fish pretty quickly..

As for compatibility, the rainbows shouldn't be lashing out so much... 3 is too small for a school. If you want to keep them (I'm guessing you may want to take them back after all this), they should be kept in a group of at least 6, thought more is better... That and a lot of cover should make them more peaceful. It's quite common for fish without enough of their own kind to become either really timid, or really aggressive.

Yes it's unfortunate. And my tank is perfect for their requirements, slight current, LOTS of cover, top and bottom... Medium to heavily planted.

And there was only three at the store, was going to buy more but I'm just bringing these guys back.
Already got two, the biggest is left and because of said cover I'm having a hard time catching and even finding him.

It's funny because my other fish are mostly second or third generation or have been in the tank for over a year and not seen a net, so they're all "Chill chill no worries maybe it's food. chill chill." and don't care about the net or follow it for food, and these guys were freaking out.




Also adding: with the speed of the killing I honestly think they were outright killed by the rainbowfish... especially since it was only the barbs... Even the male gourami is fine. Perhaps something about the horizontal bands on the barbs wasn't liked by the rainbowfish?

 

[Olympia]

Nets are scary! :lol:
After you take them back, I'd suggest you leave the tank lights off for two days (if you have live plants they'll be fine). The darkness will help your remaining fish calm down a bit and hopefully pull through alright.