Will They Fight?

[newfishaddict]

In my 55g I have a rainbow shark. He is usually nice to my fish but I did have to move some Cories out of the tank because he was bullying them.

I want to move my 5 Denisons Barbs (Red Like Torpedo Barb) in to the tank but I am concerned because to me they have a similar body and fib shape. Someone on this forum suggested the Barbs would be ok but, I wonder is that true?

What do YOU think?

 

[Lateral Line]

It is a difficult question. Sharks tend towards semi-aggressive, but the spread is very wide. Some individuals are placid and ignore other fish, others are out and out terrors.

You have already had trouble with this particualr fish with your Corys, but Corys are bottom dwellers, i.e. they really in the sharks face. Now it could be that the same fish will ignore fish swimming at higher levels in the tank.

It is true that sharks generally hate their own kind or closely related species, and dislike fish that resemble them, but again, the difference between individuals can be large.

The simplest answer is probably, try it, keep a very close eye on things, and see how it goes. You do not want the denisoni being chased about. They stress easily and are an expensive loss.

 

[newfishaddict]

It is a difficult question. Sharks tend towards semi-aggressive, but the spread is very wide. Some individuals are placid and ignore other fish, others are out and out terrors.

You have already had trouble with this particualr fish with your Corys, but Corys are bottom dwellers, i.e. they really in the sharks face. Now it could be that the same fish will ignore fish swimming at higher levels in the tank.

It is true that sharks generally hate their own kind or closely related species, and dislike fish that resemble them, but again, the difference between individuals can be large.

The simplest answer is probably, try it, keep a very close eye on things, and see how it goes. You do not want the denisoni being chased about. They stress easily and are an expensive loss.

Yes, that makes sence to me. I am going to move the Barbs in the tank but I am concerned because the Denisons barbs do seem to feed on the bottom quite a bit....I will watch them close.

I actually got the 55g for the barbs, I will take the shark back to the store if necessary...
Would the shark be "happy" in a 29g (long)?

I forgot to mention that I had to move my 1/2 grown angel fish out of the tank. He was being chased by the shark a little bit too. The shark seems to leave my pleco alone, they actually rest side by side, is this normal or expected?

The shark ingnors all other fish in the tank, even when they get very close to him....he seems very unpredicatble....

 

[kat and james]

we have our torpedos in the tank with an rtbs, thye have no interest in each other what so ever. they totally don't disturb each other. however like lateral line said, each fish is different. if i were you i'd just keep a close eye on the goings on in teh tank! feels a little mean to put the rainbow shark in a nice big 55 gal and then move him to a smaller tank though!

kat