Red tailed shark

[Tyler777]

I always liked these guys n I was thinking bout getting one or more gor when I set up my 75 gallons tank which now I'm thinking bout buying a 125 gallons instead.
Anyhow, I was reading online bout em cause I know they're territorial n some kind of aggressive so while reading bout their behavior I read that having one is fine but it might not like other bottom feeders also the article recommended never have 2 of them bcause earn if the tank is big enuff when they see each other will fight then it recommended to have like 5 or 7 inbthe tank to avoid aggression but at the end of the article they recommend you to get different mates for it.
Kinda of weird article cause it's like they're telling you if u want one get 5 orv7 seven but then they tell you get other tankmates.

Any of you who might have these guys can give me some advice ?

 

[CaptainBarnicles]

Please write in English and not text speak I'm too old

 

[Tyler777]

I always liked these guys n I was thinking bout getting one or more gor when I set up my 75 gallons tank which now I'm thinking bout buying a 125 gallons instead.
Anyhow, I was reading online bout em cause I know they're territorial n some kind of aggressive so while reading bout their behavior I read that having one is fine but it might not like other bottom feeders also the article recommended never have 2 of them bcause earn if the tank is big enuff when they see each other will fight then it recommended to have like 5 or 7 inbthe tank to avoid aggression but at the end of the article they recommend you to get different mates for it.
Kinda of weird article cause it's like they're telling you if u want one get 5 orv7 seven but then they tell you get other tankmates.

Any of you who might have these guys can give me some advice ?

Well except for 4 mistakes the phone made I'm pretty sure I wrote everything in English.

 

[GaryE]

If you get 6 or 7, they all beat each other up, but the violence is spread around so there aren't usually serious wounds. I don't buy that as an approach - it seems cruel. There are some bad ideas pretending to be advice for managing aggression. They really don't respect the needs of the fish. I wouldn't want to spend my life getting bruised daily in an endless round of fights with all comers.

So the fish is nasty, and likes to attack tankmates after dark, when they are relaxed. Yeah, cool colours, but not cool characters.

My view, from experience, is you keep one in its own tank, or you spend years dealing with the problems they case to their tankmates. I wish they looked as ugly as so many of them act.

 

[Lcc86]

A cursory google seems to suggest just keep the one due to their aggression. I only really deal with little peaceful guys so that's as far as my knowledge goes!

Edit - did some more reading and they sound like a pain to deal with! Striking fish but sounds like too much drama lol.

 

[WhistlingBadger]

My experience: I had one in a 55 gallon SE Asian community tank. The first year or so, he got along fine with everyone, and was visually one of the most beautiful fish I've ever kept. Once he got bigger, he started terrorizing everyone in the tank. Not just the bottom feeders, but even the gouramis hanging out at the top. I had to move him out before everybody died of stress.

How do you extrapolate this experience to a 75 or 125g? I don't know. But I wouldn't keep more than one in any size tank, and I wouldn't keep them with any other fish without a LOT of room, and even then only with tough fish that can stand up for themselves. If you keep them with other fish, keep an eye on them and have an exit strategy. I think of them as the Betta splendens of the carp family: They just want to live by themselves. It's a shame, though. They sure are beautiful.

 

[Tyler777]

If you get 6 or 7, they all beat each other up, but the violence is spread around so there aren't usually serious wounds. I don't buy that as an approach - it seems cruel. There are some bad ideas pretending to be advice for managing aggression. They really don't respect the needs of the fish. I wouldn't want to spend my life getting bruised daily in an endless round of fights with all comers.

So the fish is nasty, and likes to attack tankmates after dark, when they are relaxed. Yeah, cool colours, but not cool characters.

My view, from experience, is you keep one in its own tank, or you spend years dealing with the problems they case to their tankmates. I wish they looked as ugly as so many of them act.

Most sincere response I ever had. Thank uou 4 ir advice

 

[Ceez]

I have one now. All the fish in the tank I have it in are big with the exception of 2 smaller plecos around 3.5". He gets on fine and isn't a problem. When he was smaller he used to think he was a clown loach and try and swim with them following in their antics. Nowadays he just cruises around. All my loaches are 6"+ and my silver dollars are the size of coffee saucers. I also have roseline barbs that are 4"+ and again he's not a problem.

I think it really depends on tank mates. I've seen them in cichlid tanks, loach tanks and bigger aggressive fish tanks. A friend of mine has one mixed in with her angels, small loaches, corys-basically a community tank and it was fine at first. Now he has turned full heel and terrorizes the tank. She refuses to get rid of him, ive told her to trade him at our local LFS for something else. So your mileage may vary

 

[10 Tanks]

Hello Tyler. Go with the Rainbow Shark instead of the Red Tailed variety. Rainbows get a bit larger, but are less aggressive. At least, that's what I've been reading.

10

 

[Tyler777]

Hello Tyler. Go with the Rainbow Shark instead of the Red Tailed variety. Rainbows get a bit larger, but are less aggressive. At least, that's what I've been reading.

10

Ok, yhank 10, I appreciate ur advice