Odd Fish Living Together

[philfista]

Hi has anyone got a tank full of fish that shouldnt be together? but get on o.k


I.e i have a convict living in a cave with a talking catfish, they seem happy. Also have 3 clown loaches 3 tiger barbs and a red tailed shark that live in the same place at night . if any other fish go near this bunch the shark chases them off, really strange its like hes protecting them.

 

[england]

well ive got 2 oscars and a jag who get on ok....
and my jag around 11inches sleeps with a senagal birchir who meausures around 5inches....thats funny to see....

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

philfista Clown loachs, tiger barbs and a red tail shark can work together ok as tankmates- tiger barbs occupy a completely different area of the tank as to clown loaches so they are unlikely to interfere with each other, and as far as the shark goes, well it really depends on the personality of the shark- some red tailed sharks are very agressive and territorial, others are not so bad and can even boarder on being relatively peaceful fish. You are more likely to have problems with the shark than any of the other fish, since red tail black sharks can change personality (often becomming more agressive/territorial) as they grow larger and mature.

Either way though its not a tank stocking i'd ever really advise due to the risks involved, my only concern if things are working out ok for your fish is that you should really have more tiger barbs, since they are shoaling fish and will feel lot more secure and happier in a shoal of 8 tiger barbs or more, it is more natural for them- you are less likely to have problems in the group the more of them you get (of course you should also take into consideration whether you tank is large enough for your fish and if it has space for more etc- clown loaches grow slowly, but can grow to 12inches+) .


(edit: BTW, you say the shark and the loaches live in the same place at night, both clown loachs and RTS need caves as part of their tank decor since they will spend a certain amount of time dwelling under piles of driftwood and in caves and stuff, if the shark is young it is likely to become a lot more protective and territorial of its cave as it grows older, so you should create plenty of hiding spaces for the loaches and shark so they do not ever have to fight over territory etc. The reason why you barbs are trying to spend time with the loaches and shark is most likely because they feel insecure because of their small group and are trying to shoal and spend time with the shark and loaches as a substitute for lack of their own kind).

 

[coldmachineUK]

Well, I have an oddity on this front but I only attempted it because I knew what I was doing
In my planted tank I have an RTBS, cherry barbs, and - here is the odd part - I also keep a female siamese in there. Normally not a good idea at all. But I've had the shark for a year and a half and he's the most placid thing ever now (never used to be, but he's worn out in his old age). And the barbs are one of the most peaceful species available, and have displayed no signs of aggression. There's been no fin nipping either.

I do NOT recommend for anyone else, btw. And I wouldn't risk it with a male betta. Just reporting that they've all lived together happily for ~8 months. No nipped fins, no chasing, no aggression whatsoever.

I think the heavy plant cover, plus the fact that the shark has his own rather large cave (which he thinks he fits into but actually his tail always pokes out of... ), contribute, along with the fact they occupy different levels of the water column for the most part.

 

[Rex740]

A male betta with other many fish, including fish with long flowing fins and fish that look like female bettas.

 

[philfista]

My tank has plenty of caves and hiding places. The only chasing i see is between the shark and the convict but its not aggresive. the stay in there own areas most of the time . I also have 2 walking catfish which i thought would be a problem but they dont bother anyone. Im trying the therory that if you bring them up from a young age they might co-exsist together , bit like bringing up dogs and cats from a young age .

 

[coldmachineUK]

My tank has plenty of caves and hiding places. The only chasing i see is between the shark and the convict but its not aggresive. the stay in there own areas most of the time . I also have 2 walking catfish which i thought would be a problem but they dont bother anyone. Im trying the therory that if you bring them up from a young age they might co-exsist together , bit like bringing up dogs and cats from a young age .

Hi Philfista. Sadly, it doesn't always work that way. In fact, with aggressive or semi-aggressive fish it tends to be true that the older they get, the more aggressive they become. So, what works out in the beginning won't always work out in the end. Nearly 100% of the time
Be glad you don't have two convicts in there or your shark would be history!!!