New In Mate Causing Trouble

[fatmrak315]

so yesterday night we pick up a red tailed black shark. my partner been wanting one for ages.

the morning i have notice that he chasing other tank mates about. not constantly just ever so often. he not nipping at them just really chasing them. he really upsetting my keyhole cichlids.

is this him trying to set up his territory. because he only mainly does it when they come down to the bottom and he patrolling. if he eating of hiding there no problem.

my current stocking is

1 x para pleco (4 - 5 inches long,he tends to leave him alone after a quick stand off last night)
1 x red tailed black shark (5inches)
1 x angelish (1 inch long, does not chase)
2 x keyhole cichlids (3 1/2 inches long, really chases them, they keep going black, but them a rosy barb just has to look at them and they do that)
2 x festivum (one 3inches, the other 4 1/2, does not chase them, they tend to try and avoid him)
2 x gold gourami (one 2 1/2 inches the other 4 inches, tend to leave them alone alot of the time)
3 x swordtails (sizes from 2 - 3 inches, then to leave them alone bar the occasional chase)
5 x rosy barb (2 inches, chases these)

sorry that this is a long post just don't want to miss anything. and here some pictures of my setup, if there anything i need to change to help the issue. because i can't tank him back it will break my partners heart.

left to right

and one of the culprit

thank you for your time.

 

[KittyKat]

That type of shark is aggressive, it's impossible to change the nature of a species. The rest of your stocking isn't that great either through.

 

[fatmrak315]

what should i do stocking wise, anything smaller that a rosy barb tend to be eaten. atm and how have i gone wrong. this is my first tropical aquarium so still learning.

 

[KittyKat]

At least increase those rosy barb numbers to 10-25 (if the tank can take it) because keyholes are known to be very shy, especially without a large group of dithers.. then I would probably get a at least the same number of live plants as you have of fake plants, or decent fake plants with soft leaves, as the tank is currently very exposed, which again is no good for the keyholes.

If it was my tank, I would look at getting some adult-sized tetras like cardinals or rummy nosed maybe (check on the size, to make sure they don't get nommed), a group of 20-25, after increasing rosy numbers to 10.

 

[ZoddyZod]

How big is the tank? Looks to be two or three feet long?

 

[KittyKat]

Looked more like 4 ft to me..

 

[fatmrak315]

i can fit another 6 rosy barb in. but no tetra's i will be overstock otherwise. i have been slowly getting more plastic plants. the whole group in the left corner is new from about 8 days ago.

i was also thing of getting more rocks and creating like a huge cage hidy hole structure, to the right of the tank where the bog wood is at the moment, will this help.

its a 4foot by 15inches by 15inches.

 

[ZoddyZod]

Looked more like 4 ft to me..

better eyes than me it would seem!

 

[KittyKat]

48*15*15 inch? Not really tall enough for the angel, I would say..

The plants you currently have look like rough plastic, the fish can hurt themselves with those and they're not suitable for hiding in because they are too firm usually. You should investigate silk plants, they are not as cheap, but look more "alive" and are friendlier on the fish. A few members on here have ones which are quite stunning, maybe you should ask for recommendations.

 

[fatmrak315]

never heard of silk plants, does anyone have a website suggestion, some nice looking natural ones would be great, and not too expensive. and could i keep the plastic ones i have got and mix silk ones in, or completely replace them. money a bit tight.

stupid partner car always needing money spend on it.

the angel my partner brought he did have a friend at one point, we are hoping to upgrade our tank at some point to a 6x3x2. but every time i get the money together something goes wrong with the car again.

 

[ZoddyZod]

here's a few examples of silk plants. Click each to see more....

http/www.seapets.co.uk/products/aquarium-supplies/aquarium-ornaments/aquarium-ornaments-plastic-plants-and-silk-plants/silk-aquarium-plants/

 

[KittyKat]

never heard of silk plants, does anyone have a website suggestion, some nice looking natural ones would be great, and not too expensive. and could i keep the plastic ones i have got and mix silk ones in, or completely replace them. money a bit tight.

I would start by mixing the two, and when 50-60% of the bottom is covered in plants, start replacing plastic ones with silk.. of course, the other option is live plants..

the angel my partner brought he did have a friend at one point, we are hoping to upgrade our tank at some point to a 6x3x2. but every time i get the money together something goes wrong with the car again.

If you get that tank, I will envy you! You'd want a decent external filter on that. If it does ever come to it, I'd stock it with 8-10 angels Also, two angels are not a good combination, larger one will often hurt the smaller one.. best combination for keeping angels is 6+, then a pair (like a couple, not two individual fish) and lastly a single angel.

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

It actually looks like you bought a Rainbow Shark not a Red Tailed Black Shark.

Rainbow Shark;

Red Tailed Black Shark;

Notice how all the fins on the Rainbow Shark are red, while only the tail is red on the Red Tailed Black Shark.

 

[KittyKat]

Yes, it is a rainbow shark.. all advice still stands.

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

Just thought i'd point it out that is all .