Red-tailed Black Shark Tank Mates?

[tropicaltone]

Hi Everyone,

This seems to be the question many people would like answered. Why must this fantastic looking fish be so difficult to keep in a community. I am looking into keeping the RTBS (Red-Tailed Black Shark) in a 220L tank which will be fairly heavily planted and relatively lightly stocked.

Please can you all write your experiences with the RTBS and list the tank mates you feel can live peacefully with the RTBS

Thanks

Tropicaltone

 

[tropicaltone]

Hi

Has anyone got any ideas?

 

[kniesh]

A school of Tiger barbs are good tank mates for the RTBS and they look pretty cool in a decent school. That should cover the midle of the tank and for a 220ltre maybe a few hoplos for the bottom of the tank, I keep these in my 180ltre with a RTBS. I am not too sure about the top part, maybe hatchets but I dont know a great deal about them. A coule of Bristlenoses to keep the green at bay aswell maybe. Just a suggestion.

 

[Vicky99]

Hi,

I haven't had any trouble with my rtbs in my community tank (so far). It is heavily planted so lots of hidey holes. From things friends who have kept fish have told me, problems often surface a long time after the fish is introduced - when they get older and bigger they also get more agressive.

I'm just keeping an eye on mine - don't really know what the answer is!!

Vicky.

 

[noshybabs]

Hi,

I haven't had any trouble with my rtbs in my community tank (so far). It is heavily planted so lots of hidey holes. From things friends who have kept fish have told me, problems often surface a long time after the fish is introduced - when they get older and bigger they also get more agressive.

I'm just keeping an eye on mine - don't really know what the answer is!!

Vicky.

I thought the same thing about mine, Nice fish, doesnt bother anyone. The last one i had was a right little git! But then i realised he isnt a red tailed shark..... He is a red finned shark. Which means all his fins are red not just his tail, and they are a calmer more genlte fish.



P.S also called a rainbow shark.

 

[tropicaltone]

Thanks

Unfortunately only the RTBS will do. The Colours are the stongest of all the over types of the same size. I thought tiger barbs but I have heard bad things about the as they like to nip each other and sometimes gang up on other fish.

Anyone got any other ideas?

Tropicaltone

 

[kniesh]

If you have at least 6 Tiger Barbs they concentrate on each other and ver rarely pester other fish, well unless you put something silly like a Betta in . I had 8 Tiger Barbs in with my first RTBS and they were fine. The Barbs stuck to themselves an look great swimming in a pack and the shark never got near any of them even in his most aggressive mood.

 

[tropicaltone]

Thanks what about Rosey Barbs, Golden Barbs and Rainbow Fish are these ok with RTBS

 

[kniesh]

Yeah most barbs would probably be fine, providing they stay small enough for the tank. I have got Boesmani Rainbows in with mine now. I would recommend at the very least a 3ft tank for these though.

 

[tropicaltone]

The Tank will me 4ft 220ltr 50gal

 

[noshybabs]

Thanks

Unfortunately only the RTBS will do. The Colours are the stongest of all the over types of the same size. I thought tiger barbs but I have heard bad things about the as they like to nip each other and sometimes gang up on other fish.

Anyone got any other ideas?

Tropicaltone

The only difference in apearnce between the 2 is that the fins are red and not black, The colors are equally as vibrant as a red tailed shark

 

[kniesh]

Most of the Red Finned Sharks I have seen for sale in shops have all looked very faded an not very vibrant. I can assure you once you get them home and into a suitable environment they colour just as nicely, if not better than the RTBS.

 

[noshybabs]

Most of the Red Finned Sharks I have seen for sale in shops have all looked very faded an not very vibrant. I can assure you once you get them home and into a suitable environment they colour just as nicely, if not better than the RTBS.

Indeed, I would recoomend them over RTBS

 

[Arfie]

My RTBS shares it's home with corys, bengal loaches, tetras, rasboras, gourami's, bristlenose plecs, ottos, amano shrimp, male endlers & apple snails and has been no bother with them .

It does squabble with the loaches from time to time, but they squabble amongst themselves anyway it'll also nudge the bronze corys (never bothers the peppered or albinos ) from time to time, but they just ignore it and carry on hunting for food it's been no bother with any of the mid/top water fish at all irrespective of size and never goes near the snails or the shrimp.

Arfie

 

[tropicaltone]

Thanks Guys,

So here is the mix I have come up with. Please let me know what you think bearing in mind that this will be a fairly heavily planted setup. If the RTBS becomes a problem I will exchange it for a Rainbow Shark. Like you guys have said I have seen Rainbow Sharks in photos and LFS I've always thought its fins look Vivid but the dull gray body lets it down a bit, where as the RTBS body goes jet black and looks like velvet. Also please let me know if you think the setup is Lightly, Mediumly or Heavily stock for a L48"xH18"xW15" tank. Thanks

1 X Red-tailed Back Shark
1 X Bristlenosed Pleco
4 X Chained loach
4 X Golden Barbs
8 X Tiger Barbs
3 X Otos
5 X Peppered Corys

Tropicaltone