CichlidFish.com - Fish That Think.

Ok...have a problem. I have 2 Tinfoil Barbs....6" and 7"...dont particularly care for them, but husband likes em. The problem is this: We also have 4 silver dollars, 1 USD cat, and 1 "itty-bitty" L224 pleco. Feeding time has become a nightmare! The Barb's eat EVERYTHINGEVERYTHING in sight, and do not leave anything for the others. I know that the other guys can have the scraps at the bottom, but somehow that doesnt seem enough. I have tried putting food in one end of the tank, and when they bolt over to it, I throw food in the other side for the rest of the fish....they then bolt to other side!!!! I am not enjoying this match-up of wits! I thought of moving them to the other 55 gallon tank, but I already have an Oscar in there, and she HATES the barbs.....(they started out with her, that was a huge mistake)...so, anyone have any suggestions? I want to take em back to the LFS, but husband wants to keep em. HELP ME

Not an uncommon frustration. Sometimes different fishes' eating styles make for disadvantageous match-ups at feeding time. What are you feeding them? Flakes? Pellets? Sinking, floating, or a mix? Silver dollars are usually not shy, and will generally get their share if you scatter over a wide area. If you're most concerned about the catfish, try some sinking wafers or pellets fed after lights-out. The catfish usually become more active then, and the others less so.

Problem solved....they went back to the LFS last night. It was just and awful situation. Now the tank is peaceful, my cat was eating up a storm last night, and my little pleco was not afraid to come out of his hiding place. The dollars seem more "swimmy", as they were being bullied by the barbs. Guess it was not a good mix. Thanks for the info, and we did use sinking pellets, and the barbs would push the catfish out of the way and eat all the pellets. That was even at "lights out"....geez...what a nightmare. I guess now they will find a better home with fish that are better equipped to handle the spazzy behavior. Thanks again.....