Red Tailed Black Shark Tank Mates?

[Majica8]

Hi there.
I have an approx. 20 gallon tank with a single 5-6cm red tailed black shark in there.
I started off with 7 various fish, he is the only one left now (the last Honey gourami died last night from dropsy)

I am resonably new to tropical fish keeping (had them about a year now) and I don't know much about ideal tank mates, and ideal tank sizes etc, or how social various fish are.

2 questions realy:
Should I get a/some tankamte/s for my shark, and if so, what?

The local fish store doesn't have much choice, so unless it's pretty common I doubt they'd have any.
They did have Rosy Barbs the other day, and I've seen those suggested a few times when doing general searches around the web.

Thanks in advance for any help with this

 

[VaegaVic]

Only keep with top-dwelling medium-sized peaceful but robust and fast-swimming fish, as it may bully other bottom dwellers.

 

[Assaye]

Hi there.
I have an approx. 20 gallon tank with a single 5-6cm red tailed black shark in there.
I started off with 7 various fish, he is the only one left now (the last Honey gourami died last night from dropsy)

I am resonably new to tropical fish keeping (had them about a year now) and I don't know much about ideal tank mates, and ideal tank sizes etc, or how social various fish are.

2 questions realy:
Should I get a/some tankamte/s for my shark, and if so, what?

The local fish store doesn't have much choice, so unless it's pretty common I doubt they'd have any.
They did have Rosy Barbs the other day, and I've seen those suggested a few times when doing general searches around the web.

Thanks in advance for any help with this

A juvenile RTBS is fine in 20 gallons but once they get territorial and reach 4-5 inches, they need to be moved to a 40 gallon.

As VaegaVic said, avoid bottom dwellers such as plecs, algae eaters and corys. These are likely to be picked on and the RTBS are well known for harrassing fish the death.

Rosy barbs are beautiful fish but can reach 4-5 inches and must be kept in shoals of 6 or more. Only suited for very large tanks. However, if you invested in a long 40 gallon, some rosy barbs might be an option, depending on the dimensions of the tank.

If you want to keep it in the 20 gallon, keep it alone. This is only viable if the tank is at least 36"/3 foot long, though.

 

[Majica8]

My tank is 30" long, it was the size I needed for the goldfish I had the time. These tropical ones were given to me by someone I worked with who just didn't want them anymore. Either I had them or they were going down the toilet New tank just isn't an option right now. Haven't got the space or money for anything bigger.

Looks like I'll just be sticking with the shark for now then. Maybe see how my money is in 6 months and try and get a bigger tank.
Thanks for the advice

 

[Assaye]

My tank is 30" long, it was the size I needed for the goldfish I had the time. These tropical ones were given to me by someone I worked with who just didn't want them anymore. Either I had them or they were going down the toilet New tank just isn't an option right now. Haven't got the space or money for anything bigger.

Looks like I'll just be sticking with the shark for now then. Maybe see how my money is in 6 months and try and get a bigger tank.
Thanks for the advice

No worries. A shark will be OK in a 30" tank for a while. He might max out at 5-6 inches but if he gets 7-8 inches he'll need a bigger tank, even if he is on his own. As I said, if you want to add tank mates I would suggest an upgrade much earlier.