What Length Would Suit A Red Tail Shark

[N12k_GT]

I've been looking up about keeping one red tail shark and trying to get a tank that will suit the fish, I havn't however exactly got the room for a massive tank. The thing I was thinking was, it's all good saying they need 30 gallons to be happy, but if I had a 20 foot high and 2" wide tank holding more than 30 gallons I'm sure the fish still wouldn't be happy!!! a bit of an extreme example but you get the picture.

Would a 26 inch tank be long enough if it was quite deep, or would this be too short?? It would have over 4 times it's body length to swim, but I'm thinking that's not enough and it will get the hump!!

I think I read somewhere it might need 36" or more. Any advice please??

 

[robgurr]

i love red tails...i have a 90 gallon with one in there right now but i used to have a 30 gallon and they seem to do fine in them. they spend most of their time closer to the bottom of the tank so i would advise you on a tank that has a larger area at the bottom rather than being really tall. I think at least 55 gallon would be more ideal.

 

[modernhamlet]

i love red tails...i have a 90 gallon with one in there right now but i used to have a 30 gallon and they seem to do fine in them. they spend most of their time closer to the bottom of the tank so i would advise you on a tank that has a larger area at the bottom rather than being really tall. I think at least 55 gallon would be more ideal.

Agreed a 55g or 40g breeder are about the minimum footprint I'd want for a RTBS.