oneidkat

We have a rainbow shark and he's about 6 1/2 years old and he rarely comes out of his little tunnel these days. He looks ok, no dull colour, seems to eat well but he hasn't been very active for some months. I read that they're supposed to be 'jumpers' but this little guy has always been a bit of a bore. He's always preferred the bottom of the tank. He used to be housed with a red tailed shark for years and they got along, but since he lost his tank mate (died aged 7) he's just been slowing down. Could he be depressed? Also he is no where NEAR 15 centemeters... He's about 9cm... Is this normal... Does anyone have any suggestions for the cause of this plus his behaviour and is it something to worry about? Thanks in advance!

miker

Might be because of old age. Regarding the length, some fish are just stunted early. 15 cm is considered max length for Rainbow Sharks.

capekate

Your Rainbow shark is most likely stunted due to living in the 15g tank for 6 years. The figures shown for length of fish is usually the max length a fish can get. Most times the fish do not grow to the max size, tho there are always exceptions to that rule. Rainbows can grow up to.. 15 cm ( 6 inches), but usually are quite a bit smaller. So your rainbow may be at its adult size.
IF it is in fact stunted, another possible reason for stunted growth, along with being in a tank too small is their diet.
It sounds like you have been doing well by the sharks if they lived for 6 & 7 years in your tank. Even tho the tank size is on the small size for them.

~ kate

oneidkat

He was one of the original fish that came with the tank and after reading up on the breeds we used to have ALL the fish were stunted... We had clown loaches that were less than 10cm when they died and they were about 5 yrs at the time.