I've been debating for a while about getting a red tailed shark for my tank, but I need some help. I've done a lot of research online and off, and I'm going a little crazy about this. Half the websites say they make fine community fish as long as it's only one shark to a tank, others say they don't do well with peaceful fish, one store said they were semi-aggressive, one said they're peaceful, I just don't know what to believe.
So I'm asking you, based on personal experience or general knowledge, should I get a red tail shark? I don't want my fish picked on, but I would love to have one of these beautiful sharks. I have a ten gallon tank with four various cory catfish, three rosy red minnows, an oto cat, and a black molly. One website I found said the shark is compatible with all of these fish, but others say they're best kept alone. And if they are compatible, is ten gallons too small?
The temperment of these fish is semi aggressive. If the tank is large enough(a 10g isn't) and his tankmates are big enough(yours aren't), he will be fine. But in your case, I would stay away from them and spend my money on something else.
To be frank sharks are never peaceful if their mates are small they will always eat them may be for some time after introducing them to tank for awhile they will be cool but soon they would exibit shark violence.
I hate to contribute to the confusion, but I've always heard that with semi-aggressive fish, the tank mates:
A) hiding spots
B) Speed
can dictate whether or not you can have one. A Red-Tailed shark may go after the peacefull tankmates, but if there are enough spots for them to dart into or away from it, and are speedy (like the larger tetras or raspora's) you will be fine. The Shark will give up it's pursuits when it realizes it's futile.
A lone red-tail should do fine with larger danios, Harlequin Raspora's, Pristella Tetra's, Glo-light tetras, etc. The 1 1/2 - 2" fish. Red-Tails get about 3" max on average. You can keep on in 10 gallon as lon as there aren't like 10 other fish in there with it. A few Glo-lites and Harlequin's would do fine, but no more.
A 10g is 30 gallons to small for a Red Tailed Shark. They can grow to 7 inches long but 5 -6 are the norm after a little over one year. They are territorial with their kind and with some Botias. So don't get two of them please! Just look into a tank full of Red Tails and you will notice how all look stressed and have signs of fin damage and even some scarring from fights.
They are great with any Barb or Danio. They also are great with most Loach species provided enough territory for each fish on the substrate.
I purchased mine for my 40 gallon southeast asia biotope 3 months ago. he was an inch and a half and skinny from the stress of transport and being in a tank of other Red Tail Sharks. In the store their color is never right but if your tank is healthy they are dark black with a crimson tail. He is my little tank health indicator. Now he is three inches long already and very dark and thick and loves to patrol his kingdom.
His companions are Tiger Barbs, they are small but he ignores them unless they try to muscle in on food which ends in a funny and short chase. The barbs are very nimble and in truth he just wants some room. Where for most small tetras this would be a bad combo. I also have 3 small clowns which will graduate to a larger tank in a few months. They also seem fine together. So its all about having enough room, the right tank mates, and good water conditions. Mine thrives in 79 degree water and a steady 7.2ph with 15% weekly water changes. Also I noticed my shark loves my asian driftwood and shares it with the clowns.
They can be jerks if they don't have their little cave or area. I noticed that they become jerks if thats the case. I noticed mine is abnormally friendly he only reacts to my tiger barbs. So every fish can be a little different. Also with african cichlids he is probably always stressed and on guard.
Red Tailed sharks are aggresize with there own species and can harras slow moving fish such as brown knife fish, but besides that they should be ok with fish OF THE SAME SIZE that is lol, good luck:>
My redtail is actually quite friendly with my other fish except when they go in his little cave the only fish ive seen him let in the cave with him is my clown loach
I have one bicolor and he or she is in my extra large tank with my angels. He's fine with the angels, doesnt bother the dozens of tetra's i have in there...always minds his own business and is a pleasure to watch swimming. he often retreats to the 50cm tunnel i provided for him. A 'home' is very important for bicolors. its a beautiful fish to have...no signs of aggression. grew very big tho
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