Golden barbs nipping scales

[gaylejoyce]

I have 2 golden barbs in a community tank. They've lived together for 2 years and are both the same sex. The slightly smaller barb has started nipping at the larger one, and he now has a lot of scales missing...but the biter is only interested in nipping one side of his body!
Anyone have any advice or solutions?

 

[Tifta]

I would separate them. I had two barbs in a 55 gallon tank at one point, the small one nipped the big one to death. I am not sure about golden barbs, but I know that most of them need to be in a school of 5 or more.

 

[gaylejoyce]

Thank you.
I am resigned to having to separate them.
The odd thing is that he is only attacking one side of the other's body. If the larger one is facing the other way they will sit there quite peacefully together. Very strange.

 

[Tifta]

yeah that is what mine did, went for the same spot over and over again, until it killed him.

 

[gaylejoyce]

So sad