Help With Picking New Tankmates

[captaincrash84]

Hi,

I have just upgraded (Well a week ago) to a 125L Tank and I am starting to plan on what I want to add. I don't want to add alot more as I don't want to add lot of stress on the Filters.

My Situation is as follows:

All levels are at 0 or as close as I've ever had.

1 Red Tail shark ( I rescued him from my friends tank as he was getting rid of his fish)
1 Peppered Cory (Same as above)
6 Neon Tetras
2 Male Guppies
1 Female Guppy (didn't know she was female until recently and I believe she is preg! So she can use my old 60L tank nearer the time)

I have 2 filters running, A New Fluval U3 Filter and A Fluval 2Plus (Old established filter from change over but I think i'm going to keep it in but not decided yet)

So does anyone have any suggestions on tank mates?

My shark seems to be good with everyone except he flares up at the cory sometimes and on occasion he will rub up against him but he never nips but other than that he stays in his hiding place and swims at his leisure.

I know the cory should have a friends or 2 so I would consider getting him a mate but if anyone can give me some good suggestions on anything it will be very helpful!

I am looking to add some colour and more character to the tank and I had looked at mollies but was told they like some salt water. I also considered a male betta but I am worried it will attack/be attacked by others.

I live in Edinburgh and I have a pet shop close called Water Wonders and I also have a Pets at Home near by so I have a fair selection (especially water wonders)

Again any help is appreciated.

Thanks

Alan

 

[mystus]

Hi,

I have just upgraded (Well a week ago) to a 125L Tank and I am starting to plan on what I want to add. I don't want to add alot more as I don't want to add lot of stress on the Filters.

My Situation is as follows:

All levels are at 0 or as close as I've ever had.

1 Red Tail shark ( I rescued him from my friends tank as he was getting rid of his fish)
1 Peppered Cory (Same as above)
6 Neon Tetras
2 Male Guppies
1 Female Guppy (didn't know she was female until recently and I believe she is preg! So she can use my old 60L tank nearer the time)

I have 2 filters running, A New Fluval U3 Filter and A Fluval 2Plus (Old established filter from change over but I think i'm going to keep it in but not decided yet)

So does anyone have any suggestions on tank mates?

My shark seems to be good with everyone except he flares up at the cory sometimes and on occasion he will rub up against him but he never nips but other than that he stays in his hiding place and swims at his leisure.

I know the cory should have a friends or 2 so I would consider getting him a mate but if anyone can give me some good suggestions on anything it will be very helpful!

I am looking to add some colour and more character to the tank and I had looked at mollies but was told they like some salt water. I also considered a male betta but I am worried it will attack/be attacked by others.

I live in Edinburgh and I have a pet shop close called Water Wonders and I also have a Pets at Home near by so I have a fair selection (especially water wonders)

Again any help is appreciated.

Thanks

Alan

How about zebra danios or another danio for activity? Also Platys and moons are similar to mollies but don't need the salt.

 

[dirtbiker250dualsport]

well if the neons are not gettting attacked by the shark then you should be fine to look into some different types of tetras theres alot out there to choose from

 

[captaincrash84]

well if the neons are not gettting attacked by the shark then you should be fine to look into some different types of tetras theres alot out there to choose from

The neons don't get a look in from the shark, he swims past them and i've never saw him bother them. They just stick in their little shoal when he is near and go about their own business.

I had looked at platies and I know the pet shop down the road has them so I will do some research on them!

Thanks for the replies so far!

 

[arobinson1984]

Is it a red tailed black shark? if so how old is it?

As it grows and gets older it is pretty much guaranteed to become aggressive. As the shark grows it will claim large areas of your tank as it own territory and attack any fish.

If it is a red tailed black shark it isnt recommended to keep them in any tanks smaller than 55 us gallons which is about 210L

Andy

 

[captaincrash84]

Is it a red tailed black shark? if so how old is it?

As it grows and gets older it is pretty much guaranteed to become aggressive. As the shark grows it will claim large areas of your tank as it own territory and attack any fish.

If it is a red tailed black shark it isnt recommended to keep them in any tanks smaller than 55 us gallons which is about 210L

Andy

Yeah he is a Red Tail Black Shark, I think He is about 4-6 months old, I would have to ask my friend as I know the 2 I took off his hands were the last lot he bought. I'm not quite sure what to do with that info tho cos I can't go any bigger for tank size (Partner will go ape as she was dead against the 125L tank lol) but I don't want him to maul all the other fish. I'll need to think about that and keep a very close eye on his behaviour.

Thanks

 

[mickspark81]

Is it a red tailed black shark? if so how old is it?

As it grows and gets older it is pretty much guaranteed to become aggressive. As the shark grows it will claim large areas of your tank as it own territory and attack any fish.

If it is a red tailed black shark it isnt recommended to keep them in any tanks smaller than 55 us gallons which is about 210L

Andy

Yeah just to agree with previous post.

I had a red tailed black shark for around 6 weeks before it turned aggresive. At first it never bothered any tank mates, but as it got more comfortable in the tank it then took over 3/4 of the aquarium and would chase anything that came near.

Other people i have spoken to have also had the same problem.

I purchased 3 x silver sharks which are very placid

Oh..and if you want colour and personality id advise you get a pair of bolivian rams..Mine are beautiful and really fun to watch..

 

[captaincrash84]

Is it a red tailed black shark? if so how old is it?

As it grows and gets older it is pretty much guaranteed to become aggressive. As the shark grows it will claim large areas of your tank as it own territory and attack any fish.

If it is a red tailed black shark it isnt recommended to keep them in any tanks smaller than 55 us gallons which is about 210L

Andy

Yeah just to agree with previous post.

I had a red tailed black shark for around 6 weeks before it turned aggresive. At first it never bothered any tank mates, but as it got more comfortable in the tank it then took over 3/4 of the aquarium and would chase anything that came near.

Other people i have spoken to have also had the same problem.

I purchased 3 x silver sharks which are very placid

Oh..and if you want colour and personality id advise you get a pair of bolivian rams..Mine are beautiful and really fun to watch..

The Bolivian rams look really great! I'm definitely going to research them more and speak to the local pet shop to see if they stock/can stock them if I decide to go that way!

Thanks for that one cos I would have never had looked at them!

Cheers!

 

[mickspark81]

No problems m8

my 2 bolivian rams happen to be my favourite fish. Great looking and also very active/playful and have great personalitys.
They come up to the tank and "beg" for food every time im near.

I originally sought after german blue rams...however..id strongly advise against this unless your tank is over 6 months old (pref 1 year plus) and they need a ph of around 6.2 and low hardness. (any ammonia or nitrItes usually wipe them out).

Bolivian rams are much hardier and thrive in a ph of 6.4 - 7.8 (provided ph is stable and doesnt fluctuate) Also the german blue likes a 28 - 30 degree c which may be out of the comfort zone of your other fish whereas bolivian rams are happy around 26 degree C

 

[arobinson1984]

You'll have to keep an eye on the shark and be prepared to rehome it if you spot signs of aggression.

Mick, what size tank do you have the silver sharks in? They require a 100-120 US gal tank in the long run and are normally quite placid but as they grow, if they arent in an adequately sized tank then they will turn aggressive as well.

Andy

 

[captaincrash84]

You'll have to keep an eye on the shark and be prepared to rehome it if you spot signs of aggression.

Mick, what size tank do you have the silver sharks in? They require a 100-120 US gal tank in the long run and are normally quite placid but as they grow, if they arent in an adequately sized tank then they will turn aggressive as well.

Andy

I will see if the local pet store can help me out with the shark as if he could go to a better home it would benefit everyone long term! Mind you my partner was being very tactful by saying she could just flush him away, but if it was up to her she would flush them all away

 

[arobinson1984]

You can either speak to a local pet shop or put a thread in the classified section of this forum to see if any member could give the shark as suitable home.

You were obviously doing your best to help the shark after taking it from your friend, we have all made mistakes in the past regarding stocking at one time or another.

Andy

 

[captaincrash84]

You can either speak to a local pet shop or put a thread in the classified section of this forum to see if any member could give the shark as suitable home.

You were obviously doing your best to help the shark after taking it from your friend, we have all made mistakes in the past regarding stocking at one time or another.

Andy

Quick Update!!

I've managed to rehouse the red tail. I went down to the pet shop this morning and they put me in touch with this guy who breeds fish. So I called him and he came round and he has taken him away........... It worked out well for me tho because when I was talking to him on the phone I mentioned that I had been in looking at fish and was after 2 Bolivian rams. When he turned up to take the shark he took it to the car and to my surprise he brought out a bag with 2 little Bolivian Rams!!

So i'm settling them in just now and i'll pop them in about 30 mins once i put the last lot of water in the bag but i'm pretty chuffed how it worked out!

He said they are def Bolivian rams as I was unsure as they were smaller than I thought but I'll take pics in a few days to get more opinions if i'm still not 100%.

Thanks again for all the advice!

 

[captaincrash84]

Here is a pic of one,

its not that great cos the lights are off for settling in.

 

[mickspark81]

You'll have to keep an eye on the shark and be prepared to rehome it if you spot signs of aggression.

Mick, what size tank do you have the silver sharks in? They require a 100-120 US gal tank in the long run and are normally quite placid but as they grow, if they arent in an adequately sized tank then they will turn aggressive as well.

Andy

Lol

I currently have a 28 gallon tank but have friends with much larger tanks. I research all my fish before buying and will deffo be moving my silver sharks and my 3 x clown loach as soon as the need arises.
Just experimenting with variety of fish i suppose. I figure. Get them while they are young. Nurture them. When they are say 1 year old i rehome and buy more