Advice On Compatibility Please!

[Diz1979]

Hello all,

I've kept fish for many years but only recently set up a new tank since moving house and was thinking of keeping some species together that i've not tried before. Could i have some opinions please on whether or not the following would make suitable tankmates:

1 Red tailed black shark
3-4 Pearl Gouramis
5-6 Cherry barbs
5-6 Rosy barbs
8-10 Zebra danios
3-4 Bronze corydoras
5-6 Bosemani Rainbows

I understand red tail black sharks are territorial and aggressive toward their own kind but this is the main fish i want for this tank and i was hoping the rest listed would make suitable tankmates. If not any suggestions or advice would be much appreciated

 

[Colin_T]

Howdee & Welcome

Assuming the tank is about 4ft long then they should all get along fine. The reason for the tank length is because the M. boesemani are pretty active and need a bit of space.
Feed the rainbowfish lots of vegetable matter and if possible use a vege flake or pellet for them.

I would only get a pr (1m & 1f) of pearl gouramis. Several prs might argue in a smallish tank. If the tank is 6ft or so then you can have a few prs of them.

Cherry barbs might get eaten by adult M. boesemani and big pearl gouramis. But they are pretty quick little fish and should be fine. Just watch them and if possible start with small gouramis and rainbowfish and let them grow up with the barbs.

 

[Athena]

The Red Tailed Black Shark is not just aggressive towards its own kind - from experience I can tell you that they are aggressive towards any other fish that invades their territory - and they set a wide territory parameter so this is why you need a large tank.

When they are juvies they are quite peaceful but once they reach about 4" that's when they start throwing their weight around and, boy, do they bully the life out of tankmates! There are certain fish they wouldn't argue with (e.g. some of the more aggressive cichlids, like convicts).

Make sure you have an area that is suitable for the RTBS, maybe have a cave of some sort, or some slate (no rough edges) propped at angles to create little caverns that they can hide in. Also try to create a natural divide with plants at about a foot away from his cave. Obviously you can't dictate exactly where they will set up territory (you might put a cave one of the tank and he decides he wants the other end!) but once he's been in the tank a week or so you should be able to see where he is hanging out the majority of the time and set up a cave for him near there.

Hope that helps!

Athena