update!
After two days, everything seems to be evened out, as far as the power struggle goes in their little world.
The Betta (Apollo) is not intimidated at all; yesterday, he was often kicking anyone out who dares enter the shelter he was using at that particular time. The Barbs would follow him from time to time with curiosity, but were more interested in nipping at each other than him.
The two Siamese Algae Eaters mind their own business. If you watch in the video, I have glass oblong.."things" (with rounded edges for safety
) decorating the bottom of the tank in the substrate. These glass blobs are about the length and diameter of the algae eaters, and each one has a different colored streak in them. The Algae Eaters tend to blend in so well, I often have trouble finding them. They insist on diligence in their cleaning schedule during feeding time.
However when i do see them, they seem happy and content. I enjoy watching them clean every nook and cranny, and honestly think the water cleared up a bit, which is hopefully not just my imagination.
The Barbs are another story. They were like a day time soap opera every time I looked at them the first day. All day, trying to establish some sort of pecking order; who was swimming with who, frantic feeding which was a fun change from my hippie Betta languidly reaching for a pellet while the rest fall behind him.
A funny part of the day was when I thought there would be a confrontation. I noticed the larger of the three Barbs coming in for a closer look at Apollo. Apollo was minding his business, and this Barb wanted to try to muscle in. Apollo turned, and did nothing but look at him. The Barb intimidated by the Siamese fighting fish stare, turned away. They decided to go as a group, which I'm sure stressed Apollo at the time, but to my relief they decided they would have nothing to do with him. Other than a friendly hello as they pass by each other, they ignore each other. This was a relief to me.
The VERY best part of the day was watching their dynamic during feeding. I opened the feeding slot to give the barbs their food first. I have them on a diet of tropical flakes, and the occasional bloodworms. They of course were acting manic as if they just realized they would implode if they didn't get to the food first. As they were doing this, Apollo was waiting his turn patiently next to them. When they finished Apollo then came over, and received his dinner of Omega pellets. He will occasionally eat brine shrimp as well, as soon as I get another sea monkey kit, but for now, he has flakes too.
Today, everything seemed to even out. The Barbs have found small current in the air stone, as well as near the top where the filter overflows. They swim for awhile then find a shelter and rest. The larger of the three still seemed to be bullying the other two this morning, but (and I found this entertaining) the two smaller ones started to defend each other. As of tonight, everyone is swimming together harmoniously.
I'm hoping everyone will be able to stay peaceful, because the dynamic in the community is really fun to watch. I figured a smaller tank with fake plants would become boring because of the easier care, but its turning out that I'm enjoying sitting in front of them for 20 minutes at a time, trying to analyze their behavior. I am a novice with ambitions of owning a really well thought out reef tank someday, but there is much to learn, and for now I think these guys will be a fun reintroduction into the hobby I enjoyed so much as a kid.
As a note feel free to provide any advice you might have about the community, as I'm all ears. I really want to become deeper involved in this hobby, because its a great stress reliever, and being in the military, its really one of the only pets I can have. If anyone would like more pictures, or anything specific, I'd be glad to provide!
