how many rainbow sharks in a tank

[digital_run]

Its sad...local stores around here sell RTB/Rainbows by the pair....which is stupid because if you know anything about them thats the worst you could do...4 in a 29gal wont last too long...you'll soon notice problems. Try calling other Ifs and see if you can trade them in for in-store credit....or even just to take them....Sucks i know but its better than 3 of them being stressed and miserable which could lead to other problems such as disease and possibly death.

 

[Torrean]

very true digital. I will watch them very closely and if they get too aggressive i will take your advise

edit: what should i consider too aggressive? They swim beside each other and wave back and forth simultaneously, I know this is aggression but is it severe

 

[sylvia]

They do search for un-eaten food kind of like a cory or similar would. They have barbels like them too if this is the sort of behaviour you are seeing...

And, no, a 10 gallon wouldn't realy work.

 

[digital_run]

Dont stress too much but if even one of your 4 starts to act anything like mine then you will be. They also grow to about 6" ...what else do you have with them?...FOr the mean time the best you could do is make sure theres plenty of plants/rocks etc to divide territorys.

 

[digital_run]

edit: what should i consider too aggressive? They swim beside each other and wave back and forth simultaneously, I know this is aggression but is it severe

The problem with smaller tanks and aggression is that there no place for the fish which being pestered to run....You'll see the constant chasing and i found that usually around feeding time this will increase...You'll just have to use your own judgement when it comes to "how much"...Its hard to say because one day he could "look" fine...but the next be belly up...The sooner you get down to a single one the better off you'll be.

 

[Torrean]

I have a pleco a 7 danio two or three ghost shrimp three gouramis two dwarf puffers which are going back, a pictus catfish, and that's about it

btw one of you said they grow to 6" I read they only reach 4 1/2 to 5

Edit: I think i will probably try to get rid of the other three even if they don't get any more aggressive just for the sake of space in my tank
they sure are pretty fish though i hate to get rid of them

 

[Torrean]

btw all of the fish in my tank are juvies except two of the danios they are about 1 1/2" from full size

 

[digital_run]

I have a pleco a 7 danio two or three ghost shrimp three gouramis two dwarf puffers which are going back, a pictus catfish, and that's about it

btw one of you said they grow to 6" I read they only reach 4 1/2 to 5

Ok new subject!

I hate to be the bearer of bad news...and in no way am i being critical or tryin to put you down. Your tank is pretty over stocked and probably on the verge of a meltdown. What kind of pleco do you have?...theres to many to name but they range from tiny little things to huge poop machines that can reach a foot +. Pictus catfish should be kept in groups of atleast 3 but from experience 5+ is the best and should be kept in a tank of 50gal plus IMO.

Again im not tryin to rain on your parade ...But if you want to keep a healthy tank that will allow your fish to live and grow in a healthy enviroment then you should reconsider your present layout. Keep one RTB...return your Pictus and get a positive ident, on your pleco. Hope i helped...if i came across as a jerk store let me know .

 

[Torrean]

not a jerk at all. I know about the pictus and I've been thinking over what to do about it. THe only thing I have against taking him back is that I learned that they were schooling fish the night of the third day. So I can't take him back. I'm seriously considering calling the better business bureau on these people though because I told the guy I didn't want any more schooling fish. Then I asked him about the pictus and he said it would be fine.

The pleco is a common, so he will get BIG. But now he is about 1 1/2 to 2 inches long. I have a sister who is setting up a 50 gallon in a year or so and when he gets full size she will probably want him so that's not a real concern of mine.

Edit: she has cichlids and i've read that sharks and cichlids would conflict so that's not an option unless you guys no better than me about the issue

 

[Torrean]

It's really hard to get on here and show what a fool i've been in front of all these people but I am learning a lot so thanks

 

[digital_run]

Its not that you "cant" keep pims singular...its just that when kept alone they are reclusive and dont show any of the great character that they show when kept with others. I personally dont listein to store workers...The best thing is to go see whats available....research and then buy.

 

[digital_run]

It's really hard to get on here and show what a fool i've been in front of all these people but I am learning a lot so thanks

Dont worry...we were all newbs at some point and most of us learn the hard way.

 

[Torrean]

What if I find a home for the sharks could I add the needed pictus? I know they get bigger than the sharks do so I thought I'd ask

 

[Torrean]

Ok hypothetically if I were to go into the pet store and start raising hell aboutall of this crap and they took back all of the fish and gave me store credit. What fish do you suggest I get. Also the fish store is an hour away so I don't want to take the fish back if they won't take them so should I call first even though this could lessen the impact of my case

I'm so frustrated it seems like the people in pet stores would learn rather quickly that they are giving people bad advice.

 

[Y2J]

I have a 15 gallon tank. If i get a young/small rainbow shark would it be okay for it to live in there for a short amount of time? - In five weeks i'm getting a second bigger tank for bigger fishes, Around 30/50 gallons and then would put him in there