Red-Tailed Black Shark

[Kajuki18]

I really like RTBS but i don't have a community tank. I was wondering if a could keep one in my 40 gallon African cichlid tank. My cichlids aren't that agressive and I read somewhere that they can be kept in cichlids tanks too?

 

[@ombomb]

Personally I'd say no.

I haven't ever kept Cichlids, but I really don't think an agressive / territorial fish like a RTBS would be a good idea, especially as your tank isn't that big. Mine's in a tank a bit bigger than yours and I wouldn't want to keep it in anything smaller now. Also they prefer the water more acidic to African Cichlids and like plants.

 

[Ferris]

I have heard of/known people that have succesfully mixed RTBS with Mbuna but it would always be a risk. Whilst the Mbuna are generally more aggressive than the RTBS, the RTBS will outgrow most Mbuna and this tends to even things up.

Basically it is possible but there would be substancial risk involved and i think you may be pushing it in a 40 gal, you would be more likely to have success in a 55 gal or bigger.

Hope this helps.

 

[digital_run]

I've also heard of poeple mixing mbuna and RTB's but as Ferris mentioned its a risk and mixing fish from different water types is never a good thing...even if the differences are small.

Ðigital

p.s - I know that if you search old threads in the african section you'll find a few with the same question.