Guppies

[wicko215]

Hi im asking on behalf of a mate thats new to fish keeping ans hes wondering if you can keep a single red tail shark with guppies n cherry barbs with is all he has at the minute

 

[sadguppy]

How big is the tank? Sharks are quite feisty and prefer to be in big groups in very big tanks.

 

[MBOU]

No not really.

Personally, anything under 4ft 240L is just cruel to the shark and 9 times out of 10 they will just massacre guppies.

Yes some people get away with it but the general rule is no, not wuth guppies or fighters or small tanks. It will only cause mayhem, kill if not just plain stress out all the other fish and then need rehoming in the end anyway.

 

[wicko215]

Tank is around 4 foot will the cherry barbs nip the guppies didnt wana say yes to him n then it causes mayhem my single shark is really placid i must b lucky but then again i dont keep guppies

 

[hensonc4098]

My shark is totally cool with all the other fish including ones as small as otos, shrimp and khuli loaches. As long as the tank is big enough for it to grow into (red tailed and red finned varieties reach 6" - don't get a pure black as they get HUGE) then you shouldn't have problems. Red tailed or red finned sharks are mainly bottom dwellers too, with guppies being mid to top dwelling.

In response to sadguppy, you do not want more than one in a tank unless your tank is massive as they are very territorial with each other and with other low-level fish and so will fight with each other. Never keep in groups.

Cherry barbs may nip the guppies - keep an eye on them.