RTBS

[abby'smom]

Anyone know how you sex a red tailed black shark? I read somewhere the female has more rounded edges of her tail fin. I think mine is a girl, but never found a pic of both for a comparison. Are there any other ways to tell?
Also, hubby tells me he's getting me a 55 gal for X-mas, any suggestions for a very aggressive RTBS?
Thanks, Erin

 

[Angry_Platy]

I have my RTBS with african cichlids.....my RTBS is a baby though and is still peaceful...

I am told they will be OK as long as there are no other sharks in the tank

 

[Zenn]

I wouldnt put too much hope upon that, yeah there is a chance your RTB shark will be fine in there, but as you said he is still young, as they grow, they DO get aggressive to any fish they dont like, generally towards smaller fish than themselves, if the fish you have will be bigger than it all through its life, then you should be just fine

I had to stop myself the other day from buying another RTB shark

I keep getting tempted, but if i do, i want my fish to be pretty big and in a nice size tank...

 

[Lateral Line]

They are almost impossible to sex until at maturity. At that point the females deeper rounder body shape may give the game away.

There are a lot of tales about dark marks in the fins or white tips etc., but I've seen a tank full of them all with white tips, and at other times, tanks full with out a mark in sight - I suspect a lot of these tales are just that.

Wheher it becomes super aggressive or not depends to a large extent on the individual fish. As long as they have enough space, and are not confronted with another of their own species, a similar species or even a similar looking fish, some RTBS remain quite docile into old age. Others become absolute terrors for no apparent reason.

 

[Vip]

They are almost impossible to sex until at maturity. At that point the females deeper rounder body shape may give the game away.

There are a lot of tales about dark marks in the fins or white tips etc., but I've seen a tank full of them all with white tips, and at other times, tanks full with out a mark in sight - I suspect a lot of these tales are just that.

Wheher it becomes super aggressive or not depends to a large extent on the individual fish. As long as they have enough space, and are not confronted with another of their own species, a similar species or even a similar looking fish, some RTBS remain quite docile into old age. Others become absolute terrors for no apparent reason.

Well said,
If you want a agressive fish it you could get a Black Shark but they are super sgressive so i dunno

 

[abby'smom]

I meant to say "tankmates" for an aggressive RTBS. Sorry it was late when I posted that last night and I didn't reread it before I posted!
Anyway, thanks for the help. I was thinking along the lines of other fish that get to be a good size, but will not out grow the 55 gal. Hoping to put it in it's place, ya know?
Erin

 

[digital_run]

IMO Rtb's are not good community fish...I am the personal owner of a 5.5" Rtb terror!!! He does not hesitate to chase 10 tiger barbs and ive seen him chase a 6.5" Pictus cat all night. I've recently moved him to a 50 gal with a Green severum and 4 clown barbs which seem to be able to hold their own against him....He's a beautiful fish...just a mean bugger!!

 

[abby'smom]

I'm hoping that once I get the tank and get him/her in there it'll chill out some. It's in a 10 gal for now with my ACF. The shark is about 3-31/2 inches and the frog is about 2 maybe. Figures, I get a brute of a shark and a wimp of a frog!
That's the other reason I wanted to get largish fish for the 55. I want to put the frog in there. And the others need to be too big to eat!
Erin