Rainbow Shark Question/ Possible Problem

[adgori]

You seriously need a bigger tank buddy, NOW!

whys that

 

[pinkdolphin_113]

why? because that bala/silver shark can grow up to 14" if looked after really well. its something like 10" on average tho. but still it needs loadz of space to swim around because its a shark.
also, yea it is rainbow. that black spot near its tail shoulda given it away
what size tank dya have now?

 

[adgori]

i already knew it was a rainbow, other people thought it was a red tail cuz the picture was too small. i have a 10 gallon now but the rainbow shark is about 2 inches and the bala is about 2.5inches. once he gets to the size where he need more room ill put him in a bigger tank but right now hes good in the 10.

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

i already knew it was a rainbow, other people thought it was a red tail cuz the picture was too small. i have a 10 gallon now but the rainbow shark is about 2 inches and the bala is about 2.5inches. once he gets to the size where he need more room ill put him in a bigger tank but right now hes good in the 10.

They are already too big for it, they are simply too active for a tank that size.
You need to do something about the sharks right now- if you honestly don't see yourself getting a at least a 40gal for the rainbow shark or a 75gal for the bala shark in the next 2 months, rehome both of them right now.
Fish are not just things that are pretty to look at, they are pets and companions and you should treat them with the respect they deserve by supplying them with an environment they can thrive in .

 

[adgori]

ill probly i will be getting a bigger tank for them..most likely around xmas time since ill have more money then....after that ill probably use the 10gal for some smaller fish

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

ill probly i will be getting a bigger tank for them..most likely around xmas time since ill have more money then....after that ill probably use the 10gal for some smaller fish

Thye cannot be kept together in the same tank though either way, bala sharks are social fish that do best in groups while rainbow sharks are territorial and solitary fish that do best on their own. As they mature, the rainbow shars will most likely become very agressive towards the bala shark.
Xmas is too far off considering they are already unsuitable for the tank, you should rehome them now.

 

[adgori]

what can you put in with a rainbow shark then without getting just 6 rainbow shark. I read that either you keep one or about 5 or 6. so if you keep 1, what can you put in with it?

 

[adgori]

would tiger barbs work? because i know that rainbow sharks arent as aggressive and are usually ok with fish not the same body type/size as them.

 

[kniesh]

A group of 6-10 tiger barbs would be perfect in the right sized tank with a Rainbow, I used to have them in my 40gal which is prob minimum and they are both very active, and quick enough for any aggression the rainbow may show. Although rainbows aren't as aggressive as red tailed sharks they are still very tempremental and barbs wont reallt be affected by this.

I'm not sure whether anyone else has said either, but you need about 5-6 balas, so at 1 foot a piece you would need a very drastic upgrade on your current tank.

 

[adgori]

yea i plan on getting a bigger tank a soon as i can and putting just the bala sharks (other than some kind of algae eater) in there so they can have their own space.

as for the rainbow, i have a 10 gallon which he is currently in with the bala (which is why i need the bigger tank for the bala so i can add more and give them space). what can i put in the 10gallon with him? hes only gonna get about 5inches so if its 1inch of fish per gallon what other smaller fish would be ok? since the rainbow isnt that active, just one should be ok in the 10, but i dont want him to get aggressive toward everything i put in there

 

[Tech-Frog]

Even a 20g is quite small for a Rainbow Shark... Let alone a bala shark!

 

[adgori]

what can i put in the 10gallon with him? hes only gonna get about 5inches so if its 1inch of fish per gallon what other smaller fish would be ok? since the rainbow isnt that active, just one should be ok in the 10, but i dont want him to get aggressive toward everything i put in there

 

[Katchan]

as for the rainbow, i have a 10 gallon which he is currently in with the bala (which is why i need the bigger tank for the bala so i can add more and give them space). what can i put in the 10gallon with him? hes only gonna get about 5inches so if its 1inch of fish per gallon what other smaller fish would be ok? since the rainbow isnt that active, just one should be ok in the 10, but i dont want him to get aggressive toward everything i put in there

The 1" fish per gallon rule is a OK rule for begginers but it also only sound to small fish as it doesnt take into account swimming space, while I could put a adult rainbow and 5 neons or a single ascar in a 10 gallon according it doesnt take into account swimming space. the neons would be fine as they dont really need much space. Many red tail and rainbow sharks as they get older become less mobile as they get older (read territorial to one spot) but they have times of HIGH mobilty HIGH speed just as their shape suggests so a 30gallonlong would really be the minium size for one even though they would fit in the 1" pergallon rule, as for an as oscar at 10" there would be very little room left in a 10gallon.

I dont mean to lecture and many people here seem to forget their mistakes when giving their tips (I remember just starting and having the LFS guy tell me a bala shark would be fine in a 20gallonhigh- )

Please dont loose heart, fish keeping is a great hobby, usually with a large learning curve

Andrew