Is my Tiger Barb stressed?

[the-richards]

Hi
We have 2 Tiger Barb fish in a 5 gallon tank, as suggested by the Aquarium we purchased from. The tank came with its own filter system... we have had the two barbs approx 2 months but one always seems weaker than the other, it tends to hide behind the filter... away from any current.
We have today decided that it looks pretty weak so would put it into a flloating hospital tank (away from current) but after catching it we think we may have noticed a VERY quick baby in the midst of the greenery.
We have managed to isolate the weak fish but it is clearly agitated, it is pointing nose down to the little tank and is constantly flapping/flipping (pardon the ignorant terms) to be escaping. We are worried it is going to wear itself out (to death). Is it ok to let it back into the tank or best to segregate it?
Any advice welcome cos we are worried! Thank you!!!

[Silvercat]

Hi there

We used to keep tropical fish and had quite a few tiger barbs in our time.
Its always been my understanding that you keep them in groups of no less than 5 at a time as they fight and scrap amongst themselves or with the other fish in the aquarium.. I suppose as you only have 2 they only have each other to argue with.
I suggest you get a few more to go with your lonely two examples. They are quite entertaining to watch as they always reminded me of a bunch of little jack russell terriers !!