The Puffer Forum

I have a ten gallon tank with three black skirt tetras, 2 black tetras, a cherry barb, and a 3 in. long albino rainbow shark. one of my black skirt tetras has been having her fins eaten! who is doing it and will her fins grow back? please anything you know.

I dont know who would be doing it, but yes the fins can grow back if the nipping stops

Could be the cherry barb or the rainbow shark. Both are territorial. Barbs are known for being fin nippers, although some individuals aren't as bad as others.

thank you, thank you thank you. i know what to do now(no fish will be harmed).

Cherry barbs are very docile for a barb and I've never seen them nip fins, but who knows. Rainbow sharks are aggressive and grow to be 6" so I would remove/return that fish ASAP.

http://www.fishlore.com/profiles_rainbow_shark.htm

The nipped fins will grow back and you should ad some API Melafix.

JRC3 wrote:Cherry barbs are very docile for a barb and I've never seen them nip fins, but who knows. Rainbow sharks are aggressive and grow to be 6" so I would remove/return that fish ASAP.

http://www.fishlore.com/profiles_rainbow_shark.htm

The nipped fins will grow back and you should ad some API Melafix.

yea, i know. i'm looking for a bigger tank. the fish people forgot to mention that he grew to be 6 in. long. i would return him but not only has it been a week but i really like him/her, the way you would get attatched to a kitten who harrases your other pets.
where should i buy API melafix?

If you don't already know, check Craiglist for a bigger tank/setup. Are you going to house the shark away from the others?

You can buy Melafix at any pet store but Walmart has it and they're cheaper.

meinmini wrote:the fish people forgot to mention that he grew to be 6 in. long...

Yeah, they forgot. *sarcastically rolls eyes*

IME, Cherry Barbs never nip anybody. They are definitely the most un-Barb-like fish I have kept.

I have definitely read that cherry barbs are the most peaceful and suitable for a mixed community tank. I don't recall if they're schooling fish, though. If so, a single one might be a little more aggressive due to being uncomfortable. I kind of doubt it in that tank, though. Unless, again, it's from the rainbow shark.

Always research your fish before you buy. Even the best and most knowledgeable fish stores can give you bad information from time to time.

*edit* If you like to browse before you buy, I can totally dig that. But, if you're not familiar already, go home and research anyway before you decide. It's much better in the end.

By the way, I definitely understand becoming attached to your fin babies. Perhaps you can find a good local aquarist to give your rainbow shark a good home?