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Just how hardy are cherry barbs? Will they survive a mini cycling ok? or even a full cycle?

I've seen a list stating that they are not great for a full cycle, as it said that they are sensitive to poor water quality. I had 6 in my fully cycled 30 and one died (no apparent reason), later, I had to treat for ick and I added too much salt and lost 3 of them to the high salt ( i don't recommend salt for them). The two that I have left have survived the mini-cycle that my tank went through after the ick meds. During the mini-cycle my ammonia never left 0ppm, it was the nitrites that showed up and they topped out at about 1ppm, so in comparison to a full cycle, it wasn't that bad. I'm back down to trace nitrites, so the mini-cycle seems to be over, and I'm going to get more cherries to replace the ones I lost. They are very cute and fun to watch. Hope this helps!!!

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~~Melissa~~
"Beauty is in the eye of the beer holder."

I have a pair of cherry barbs in a 5g planted tank. Small tanks are harder to keep balanced and can easily have chemisrty fluxuations, but even so IME they are pretty hardy. You just have to make sure that, if there are any swings of any kind, they are very mild and you take care of them before they become worse. I just wouldn't recommend them for a full blown cycle. I'd wait to add them when the tank is well established. They're peaceful fish and have nice coloration.

Last edited by gartenzwerfe at 15-Sep-2005 10:00

thanks
it did