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I know that tiger barbs are notorious for being fin-nippers.

How about other kinds of barbs?

I'd like to add some Black Ruby Barbs to my 75 gallon when I get it, but I need to make sure that this isn't asking for trouble!
(Most likely tankmates: various rainbowfish, Congo tetras, Moonlight gouramis, female betta)

Also, as a schooling fish, how many would be the recommended number to have for them to be comfortable?

Thanks.

In my experience, even the notorious tiger barbs will leave other fish alone if they are kept in a reasonable school. Minimum of a six is recommended, the more the better. Just to remain on the safer side, avoid long finned slow moving fish with them.

-Mughal

To be honest tiger barbs only really have this reputation because people keep them with some really tiny fish incapable of defending themselves.I think of them more of a cowardly bully, than an inveterate fin nipping machine like some botias and various others can sometimes be. They are not especially committed to fin nipping, but they will show a touch of predation if theres nothing there to stop them. Guppies, young fish, small bettas may all be bullied, but any fish worth its salt usually tells em' where to get off.

Theyre no terror, they are in fact fairly small fish with no real fighting ability to speak of, but they are better kept with fish that have a conventional shaped mouth and a little bite power. Just look at the fish and assess its abilities, I mean a baby angel would be maimed, but an adult could kick an entire shoals butt all day long.

Rainbows for example, never tolerate nipping from barbs.
The behaviour is there though, and well documented, and if you have small fragile fish with flowy fins then youre taking a chance. With most normal bodied fish though, theres no problem. Tiger barbs are usually a bit wimpy and way down the pecking order. I even used to have a dwarf gourami male who would make them all run for cover.

I'll say one thing though, I think most fish think a congo tetras fins look pretty tasty. Prime target. Nothing nippy should be kept with them, as far as fin nippers are concerned, you might as well ring a dinner bell.

from all the barbs ive had the tiger is only fin niper but i had like 8 of them in with a tank of danios(pearl danio zebra danio) and not a thing happend but make shure if you have tigers cross angles off the list and depending on the amoumt of tigers in the tank if its under 6 dont put a betta in there

33 gallon 7 neon tetras-5 platys-3 bleeding heart tetras-2 corys-1 rainbow shark-2 L83 gibby plecos

I dont think all barbs are nippy if kept in
satisfactory group sizes. 8 would be the minimum
individuals for a nippier barb.
Checkerboards are supposedly not very nippy,
so are rosy barbs and hexazona barbs and several others.
Tigers and Cherrys are definitely nippy, I would risk a congo tetras fins to them.


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I've read that Black Rubies are the only type besides Tigers that are serious fin-nippers. (From my own experience, I can vouch for the peacefulness of Golden and Odessa Barbs, even with smaller tankmates.)

Isnt black ruby just a color morph of the tiger barb?


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No, it's a completely separate species discovered in 1868, although there are certainly similarities in appearance (and they have been crossbred with Tiger Barbs).

I have only 3 TB in my 10 gallon(too small ), and they were nippy to the other fish, but now i put a gourami in, and they are keeping to themselves. It kinda funny when one gets too close, and the gourami uses its feelers to scare them off. Its like an old woman scaring off blackbirds.

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i had no troubles from spanner barbs,they made a great addtion,

Hmm.... if your no short on cash and room in the tank then try and get some red line torpedo barbs (though it will be hell to find them!). They mix well with rainbows and are stunning fish. Buy them when they are med size because they have a tendancy to die easily when added to a new tank. Groups of 5+ are good to go, But, money (cost) and rarity is an issue, the lowest I've seen them for is 3/40$, but I have never seen that deal again!!! why are they so expensive! Anyway, they can also be put in with discus... go for it!