slakey

Hey all,

I'm currently cycling my Rio 125

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It's 125 litres so 39US Gallons.
Currently houses 6 zebra danios.
Has 2 pieces of mopani wood, a beach rock, live plants and a mixture of silver sand and pea gravel for the substrate.

So basically would my fish tank be able to house 1 rainbow shark, a male as I've heard they're smaller then the females?

I've seen that some sites say they need 50gallons, but people on forums have told me that my tank is ok... So I just want to get a big vote to decide if my tank is ok for one or not.

Thanks
slakey
P.S. Just a suggestion but it would be a good idea to put up a Rainbow Shark Fact Topic in this area of the forum so people know about them, before they post.

Cody

i think one rainbow shark would work fine in there..with those fish. but as it gets older its agressiveness may be a problem in that size of tank..there nice fish but can be hard to deal with at times....but i think it should work...personally ..but other people would have mixed views

slakey

I can easily get rid of the zebra danios.

also I'm thinking of maybe replacing the pieces of mopani wood with some rocks/slate.
Or already soaked wood, as mine is becoming a pain, and just recently done a 3/4 water change, took out some plants and the 2 pieces mopani wood and refilled.



The pieces of mopani wood are getting a soaking in boiling hot water... But how long should I leave them in there for?

pistorta

I think the tank would be fine with the shark and I would leave the danios.

slakey

Well since I have never kept a shark on my own before (my mum and dad had a red tailed black shark when i was little) what else should I add to the tank?

I want 2 more Cabomba plants up the left side where the current cabomba is. But what plant should I have at the right hand side?

Also should I get some soaked wood or get some rocks/slate and put that in the tank?

pistorta

Tetras, barbs...lots of things can be kept with the shark. What do you like?

Rocks/slate and driftwood would all be good additions. Maybe more wood or more stone, depending on your water chemistry (ie general hardness).

slakey

surely I'm very limited if I do get a rainbow shark.

I want the shark to be the main attraction.
So nothing to fancy for the other fish...
And I don't want to stress the shark out too much, as this tank is abit tight for one to live in.

So maybe some neon or black neon tetra's with it?

Barbrella

Sharks like lots of caves and other hiding places, so wood and slate would be good.

As for neons - big fish eat little fish, and your shark can get quite large indeed. They also become aggressive with age and are safest with fish close to their own size. That's impossible in a tank the size of yours, so it's best to keep him alone.

slakey

What about a Rainbow Shark and some tiger/green barbs? 5-7 of them? Or would that be pushing it?

pistorta

I think you would be fine with that combination. I've found that rainbow sharks are not as aggressive over time as the red-tailed sharks, but anything is possible. I think your tank will house this group just fine.

slakey

have you had both sharks pistorta?

pistorta

Yes, the red-tailed was definitely the "meaner" of the two. They were not kept in the same tank as each other, but were kept with similar fish (tetras, danios, angels). For his size (grew larger than the red-tailed), the rainbow was actually quite peaceful.

slakey

ok thanks

do you still have them?

pistorta

Not any more. The rainbow died a few years ago...he must have been atleast 10 years old. The red-tailed shark succumbed to neon-tetra disease within the past year.

slakey

ahh ok. You ever thought of getting another Rainbow Shark?

pistorta

Actually, yes, but believe it or not, have been unable to find one in my LFS. I have a new tank now almost fully stocked and since I do not have a QT, fear that if I add any more fish, my "luck" may have run out with regard to my purchases of disease-free, healthy fish. Do you know what I mean?

slakey

ahh unlucky, one of my LFS has 4 Albino Rainbow Sharks at about 1.5-2 Inches so babies

pistorta

What do they want for them?

slakey

£1.25

pistorta

What about angels?

slakey

at my closet LFS the angels are

£2.99 for each
or 4 for £10

they're all juveniles
but they're 2 5inch angels

pistorta

I meant, what about angels as a stocking option?

slakey

yeah I have considered them.

But I'd much rather have a Rainbow Shark.

pistorta

You could easily house them together in that tank.

slakey

what? a rainbow shark and a angel?

pistorta

Absolutely. Without doubt.

slakey

hmm im not sure?

7inch long and 7inch tall? plus they like to be in a group

pistorta

NO, they do not get that large and can not be kept in a group. They will fight.
The rainbow shark looks like a red-tailed shark with the exception that all of its fins are red. They are similar in temperment and size.

Use this link and tell me if we are discussing the same fish http://liveaquaria.com/product/prod_...catid=1081&N=0

slakey

I meant the angels get that size. Or thats what the lady in my LFS told me.

Yes that's a Rainbow Shark.

I would've thought that the Rainbow Shark would also go for the Angels fins?

pistorta

The chances of an angelfish reaching that size in a home aquarium is a rarity at best. It is recommended that angels be kept in aquariums of atleast 30 gallons. I've had them in tanks as small as 20 with a shark and they seemed "happy".