MelissaF

When I first started my tank (before the cycle) I bought a redtail. I fell in love with them. Mine died due to the cycle. I have a pleco but I'm going to return him as soon as my tank cycles. My question is: this site says red tails can go into a 10g. But i know they are aggressive, what kind of tank mates could I get. The only type of fish other than the red tail that I really want to get in a swordtail. Any ideas would be appreciated.

susitna-flower

I do not feel you should be keeping a pleco in an uncycled tank. If you are planning on taking it back, keep it as healthy as possible for the next owner, by not subjecting it to your tank. You could then finish cycling fishless.......

I feel even though the profile says you CAN keep a redtail shark in a 10 gallon tank, I don't think that would be with any other fish. It does say minimum of 10 gallons.

Lucy

Hi Melissa
Red tail sharks are very pretty.
Maybe these links will help you until someone with more knowledge comes along.
http://www.fishlore.com/Profiles-RedTailShark.htm
http://www.petco.com/assets/livefish...aterchart.html

I thought FishLore had a compatabilty chart, but I couldn't find it.

I was just reading the article on red tails. The profile says they can get up to 6", this only leaves 4" of fish to play with. The profile of the sword tail says they can grow up to 5". So, if i am correct, that would slightly over stock your 10g.

May I suggest, since you are going to return the pleco anyway, to do it now and complete your cycle fish less?

Good luck with your tank.

matt11390

You shouldn't put a redtail in anything less than a 20g but ideally nothing less than a 55g. Not so much for their size but for their aggression. Also, they should be the last fish introduced in the tank to restrict them claiming territory. If you want to put one in a 10g, without question you should not have another fish in with it.

Lucy

Thanks Matt, I hadn't taken into consideration their temperament or that in this case the 1" rule does not work.

zambize

I think this site is irresponsible in stating that a 10 gallon would house an RTBS. Various sites report their adult size to be 4"-6", and some personal accounts report having 7.5" RTBS. I can't even imagine a 4" fish in a 10 gallon. I agree that a 55 gallon and up is best. I left a post for someone getting an RTBS with a 28 gallon. A 28 gallon is 24" long...and an adult RTBS may be 6"...that's 1/4 the length of the tank. Not much room=irritable unhappy fish. I have a 37 gallon with an RTBS and I've had to be extra careful ensuring that his requirements are met. I'm also prepared to purchase and setup a 55 gallon ($500-$750) to make this $4 fish happy.

Zambize