My fish nibbles on the other fishes fins. What does this mean?

Question

My large tiger barb nibbles on the fins of its tank mates. What does this mean? I would like to avoid issolation.

Answer 1

It is the first step towards killing them. Bite their fins off, and they can't swim. Can't swim, can't escape. Just because it is a little fish, doesn't mean it doesn't have the same instincts as a big fish. Sharks bite the fins off of seals so that they can't get away. If you don't believe me, just leave them together a while longer, and you will see for yourself.

Answer 2

Generally you have a more aggressive species. Sometimes this can be controlled by the number of single species you include - usually you want to have an odd number. For some reason this keeps one from becoming more dominant. What type of fish is it? That makes a big difference!

Answer 3

Barbs,tiger barbs especially should only be kept with other barbs they are not a community fish.They will eventually kill the other fish.Unfortunatly you can only have either barbs in a tank or community fish not both.

Answer 4

tiger barbs are known for fin nipping... lacking info (tank size, tankmates) big tank can lessen the agressiveness, avoid slow-moving and long fin tankmates (ie. goldfish), if your tank is big enough and can house more of its kind, then the aggressiveness can be reduced to other type of fishes. hope that helped!

Answer 5

It means your fish is carnivorous and will eat other fish that are smaller or weaker. It works something like a chain of command, I guess. It's the same way in the ocean: "Survival Of The Fittest." I hope this helps.

Answer 6

tiger barbs are a fish notorious for fin nipping each other but that is natural it is unatural when it nips other fish so put atleast 6 more with it so they will be more occupied with each other not other fish

Answer 7

tiger barbs, most barbs actually are vicious buggers, dont mix them with anything else. You will find other fish depleating quickly and wont find bodies! Take em out and chuck neons in!

Answer 8

Do you feed your fish enough? It might be the fish is not getting enough food, and if that is not it, you might have to issolate the fish.

Answer 9

My fish nibble on each other all the time. idont think its that serious. If there is blood involved though you should call a vet.

Answer 10

What does it mean? It means your other fish are bait. When you buy new fish, you need to make sure they are compatible with your current ones.

Answer 11

He is showing dominancy! He want them to know he is ALL THAT and they r under him in status. Just like dogs or any other animal.

Answer 12

maybe he is just trying to play. u could ask a person at petco or something

Answer 13

it means he loves them