Rainbow Shark? (epalzeorhynchos Frenatum)

[CBBP]

I want an SAE like algea eater for my basement 55 gallon tank but I don't want to have to get a shoal of SAEs. I heard they like to eat algea but will they eat algea as much as a SAE or will they only eat what Autos eat? I want something that will eat as many types of algea as an SAE. is this the fish for me?

Also, what are it's water parameters?

 

[Tommy Gunnz]

"Siamese Algae Eater is not very demanding. Suitable temperature is 24-26 C (75-79F). They can tolerate pH from 5.5 to 8.0, but 6.5-7.0 is ideal". (http/www.thekrib.com/Fish/Algae-Eaters/)

"It is an active and fast swimmer, which thrives best in schools but can also be kept alone or in pairs" (http/www.thekrib.com/Fish/Algae-Eaters/)


"As they are not aggressive, they can be kept in any community tank big enough. Their active behavior might stress some sensitive species like dwarf cichlids and prevent them from spawning. They should not be kept with Red-tailed Sharks (Epalzeorhynchus bicolor) unless the aquarium is large and well planted, because that species is very aggressive towards all its relatives." (http/www.thekrib.com/Fish/Algae-Eaters/)

Be careful though when getting an SAE as there is another fish that looks very similar. This site I quoted above points out the perhaps the best way to tell the difference is the presence of barbels. A true SAE will not have any. False SAE also are less tolerable to bad water quality.

I found that if you need quick info on a fish, the best way to go about it is to google or yahoo search for the common name of the fish. Once you find a profile, I generally would search using the scientific name as these searches generally lead you to scientific sites, where information may be more trustworthy.

 

[CBBP]

I already know about SAEs sir... sorry for the confusion.. but I am askign about rainbow sharks (red finned) I have 5 SAEs haah so i want to try somethgin new in my toher planted tank.

 

[Tommy Gunnz]

Sorry about that! My fault.

The reason I posted to your question is because I have a rainbow shark in my 55 gallon tank and have had it for about a year now. Do not confuse them with red-tailed sharks though, they are different.

From my experience, you should not keep more than one rainbow shark (or red-tailed shark for that matter) in a tank at the same time. They are aggressive towards their own kind and can be territorial when housed with several bottom dwelling fish.

Mine is starting to get pretty large now and I would say it must be around 7 inches long and pretty thick as well. I bring this up because it is kind of the 'bull in a china shop' fish in my tank. It will tip over some of my smaller fake plants, but is otherwise pretty strong which can be difficult when understanding their aggression and territorial nature.

I keep my rainbow shark in a tank of cichlids (yellow labs at the moment) and this keeps him quiet as well as distracting the other fish from each other. (Basically a dither or target fish) None of the cichlids can catch him and he cannot catch any other fish in the tank either. He is basically my defense against over feeding my tank and once a week when I feed blood worms, he usually gets all of them.

 

[CBBP]

mm so he would go after cories? and how aree they different then red tails sharks? and do they go after algea at all?

 

[CBBP]

pufft

 

[Tommy Gunnz]

I would not consider them to be affective at eating algea, however, I do have a pleco and a snail in the tank, so my rainbow shark might be working on algea and I do not notice.

The rainbow shark is slightly less aggressive that the RTBS as far as I have read and/or heard. These two fish are only going to be more of a problem aggression wise towards other fish of the same species and/or look just like themselves. I have read that RTBS in particuar will be aggressive towards any fish that it is 'related' to. I think the problem you might have with keeping too many bottom dwelling fish, if you only have one rainbow shark or red tailed shark, will be getting enough food down on your substrate without having to over feed.

 

[CBBP]

so I should be fine with a Rainbow shark? the cories eat waffers... haha

 

[Tommy Gunnz]

I think you could be ok with one of them. More will be bad. I noticed that of the couple I have kept in the past, one may be more 'grumpy' than another.

 

[mezrie]

My Rainbow shark is getting ever more grumpy and aggressive where i am now at the stage i am considering getting yet another tank for him in order to save anymore grief for the other fish. Can anyone suggest an adequate size if i was to do this for him? There is the option of giving him away but i have had him for a while now and even though he can be a pain in the ass i am fond of him.

Many Thanks xxx

I think you could be ok with one of them. More will be bad. I noticed that of the couple I have kept in the past, one may be more 'grumpy' than another.