A Rainbow Shark Question

[Eelzor]

I was considering buying a Rainbow Shark, but I was wondering if it would be approapriate to be housed with the other tankmates I already have.

Clown Loaches, Bala Sharks, Angelfish, Black Ghost Knifes, Bristlenose Plecostomus.

Everything in the tank is large enough except for my Bristlenose plec who is about 2.5 to 3 inches.

Is the rainbow shark ok in this tank? Will he harm the pleco? If any more details are needed just say so.

 

[Lateral Line]

They will not tolerate their own kind, frequently will not tolerate related species, and quite often will not tolerate anything that looks like them, Bala's etc. They can also be jealous of anything that wanders into a part of the tank they consider to be theirs, whatever it is.

A lot depends on the temperament of the individual fish. Some are fairly tolerant, and almost patient, others are right little terrors.

 

[Eelzor]

tnx lat,

Perhaps, might there be a way to look in the tank that they sell them at to see what type of behaviour a rainbow shark is displaying in a tank? Like an agressive one might be chasing the rest - Is there a way to locate a passive rainbow shark in the store?

 

[Lateral Line]

No, not really, the typical fish soups they have in the LFS are never going to allow individual fish to behave in anything like a natural manner. The environment is so stressful it is amazing sometimes that anything survives at all.

One that looked docile in a dealers tank may well be one to avoid actually, probably docile for a reason - not a good reason.

Also, with fish that have a definitie pecking order, a subordinate fish in a tank with others, moved to a tank without others will have been "promoted" to the top of the order, and his ego may develop accordingly. With a lot of individuals, the anti social behaviour grows with age/size.

 

[Eelzor]

ok then, i guess I'll have to try and make a gamble and hope that the rainbow shark I purchase will do fine. I might get a smaller one just to be safe. If theres anything else I should know just tell me, but thanks for the info given.

 

[Discomafia]

Never knew fish had ego LL!

I wanted to ask such a question as well, what are Rainbow sharks compatible with. Schooling fish are out of the qn. because they're too small, right?

 

[Eelzor]

I wanted to ask such a question as well, what are Rainbow sharks compatible with. Schooling fish are out of the qn. because they're too small, right?

With my previous ownages of rainbow sharks, they tend to pick on smaller fish easily (including schooling fish), so that must be crossed out.

Depending on the size of the tankmates, some rainbow sharks become more accepting with tankmates than others. I found that my previous (this was years ago) one harrased my black ghost knife and spiny eel. I'm not sure if it was there swimming motion or size that attracted the shark, but nonetheless I think it all comes down to size. Try to make it at least an 1 inch bigger than the size.

However I am still unsure if rainbow sharks can be kept with plecs (of the same size perhaps).

HTH & HYH (Hope this helps and hope you help)

 

[Jen21]

I've always had rainbow sharks with swordtails, plecos, mollies... and they were fine. They are so pretty too..... maybe mine were just nice though.

 

[sushi]

I have a question for you. I've got two bristlenoses. One has no bristles. One is slightly bigger and is just starting to get them. Ones about 2" ones about 2 1/2". I've had them for about a year and half. how old are yours? do they have bristles? I'm trying to sex them you see. apparently males have bristles and females don't really. I saw one that was quite bristley. compared to yours, do you reckon mine would be females. Just thought you might know. thanks either way.

 

[Eelzor]

I have a question for you. I've got two bristlenoses. One has no bristles. One is slightly bigger and is just starting to get them. Ones about 2" ones about 2 1/2". I've had them for about a year and half. how old are yours? do they have bristles? I'm trying to sex them you see. apparently males have bristles and females don't really. I saw one that was quite bristley. compared to yours, do you reckon mine would be females. Just thought you might know. thanks either way.

My bristlenose plec is about 2.5 to 3 inches or so and has not shown a single bristle. I have seen 2 inch bristlenoses loaded with bristles. It is quite difficult to say until they get a decent size (maybe 3 inches). Yours might both be female because I have seen smaller ones with bristles, but I could be wrong. Some bristlenoses get there bristles quite late. The age of my bristlenose might be 2 years or so.