This Is Pushing It, Right?

[VickiandKev]

I have a 6ft tank, approximately 500L or so in volume, soon to be upgraded to an 8ft tank (soon meaning in the next few months).

I already have a rainbow shark - he's only around 3 inches or so, and only about a year old, so only a baby.


I've just found an advert for some clown loaches, and a red tailed black shark at around 6 inches or so. I could just take the clowns but in the photos, it's obvious the red tailed black shark has a relationship with the shoal of clowns. I know this sounds ridiculous, but our own rainbow shark adores the clowns and I would never consider housing him without them because of how much he relies on them, so I know how strong these bonds can be.

I'm going to feel a bit mean taking the clowns and leaving the shark, but am I pushing it to try and house this RTBS with my resident rainbow shark in their current tank?
And if I am, what about once I've upgraded to an 8ft tank?

I have seen reports of people keeping multiple sharks in a big tank, but I don't know the ins and outs of it, so I thought I'd better ask on here.

 

[grumpysteve]

you've got a big tank, so keeping the 2 shouldn't be a problem. try to split the tank into different sections with tall plants and decor etc. so they can each claim a territory and have some unclaimed space inbetween. as long as there is plenty to break the line of sight they should easily be able to get away from each other if they do have a scrap.

keep a close eye on them at first though, make sure one of them doesn't bully the other excessively. if you're careful it can be done