Let's talk about a 10g set-up

[rmiller]

Tiger barbs grow to 3 inches! Plus they need room to swim so they develop properly. You either need a bigger tank or you need to rehome them. There are plenty of stock options for a ten gallon tank that would thrive.

Please read this profile so you will have a better understanding of the fish you have.
Tiger barb, Puntius tetrazona Profile, with care, maintenance requirements and breeding information for your tropical fish

 

[Fishperson]

Well, rmiller is right, although in the short term, water quality is more important than tank size, a 10 gallon is not suitable, long term, for a group of tiger barbs. So if you don't have room for a bigger tank than you should rehome them.

 

[Wylgamez]

You are correct they are the two males. I have 2 males and 3 females. I really can't afford to buy a new filter, heater, and tank. I would love to give the bigger, more aggressive one, away, but I can't bring myself to just dispose of him.

You can find good deals for a used set up in craigslist. I mean it might be worth checking out for your peace of mind. Good luck!

 

[librarygirl]

I just wanted to comment and say after many water changes and a whole bottle of tetra safestart, the ammonia levels are under control (less than .25), tank is completely cycled, and the barbs are happy as could be. I cleared a little swimming room for them and they created a little school. I think it's more about water quality than size of tank. I also quit feeding as much so they spend a lot of time searching for scraps and keeping the tank even cleaner. Next, I plan on introducing a few plants to also keep water quality good and add color to the tank. What a great hobby.

It's great you got ammonia down, but with water changes---it won't stay that way for long. The tank isn't cycled yet I'm afraid. A tank will be cycled when ammonia and nitrite are 0 consistently without water changes and you have some nitrate. If you haven't even had nitrites yet, I'm afraid you have a ways to go. Long-term you're really going to need to upgrade that tank or rehome the fish and choose ones more appropriate for a 10 gal. Here's two guides that may help if you haven't seen them yet:
I just learned about cycling but I already have fish. What now?! - Aquarium Advice
Guide to Starting a Freshwater Aquarium - Aquarium Advice

 

[Tmar]

I keep 3x emerald eye rasbora and 1x electric blue ram in my planted 10 gallon. I am going to add 2 more emerald eye rasbora in the near future.
I always use this site: Aquarium Fish: Tropical Freshwater Fish and Saltwater Fish for Home Aquariums to research my fish Good Luck!

 

[Herky213]

Well I did end up giving the barbs back to the fish store, and now I have 6 harlequin rasboras. They do just fine, but I do wish I could cycle my tank and make life easier for EVERYONE lol

 

[rmiller]

Good choice on the rasboras.

Where are your water parameters? Any ideas what your hold up on cycling is? We'd be happy to help.

 

[Herky213]

Well after testing today I am surprised to see ammonia is almost gone! But look at my nitrates =O. I could tell the fish were pretty stressed lately. So is this a cycled tank or am I still waiting?

 

[rmiller]

Looks to me like you're cycled. 0 Ammonia, 0 Nitrite, about 20 nitrate from what I can see.

 

[Herky213]

Any ideas on why they still fight like cats and dogs then?