davencats

I've got a 23 gallon tank with 5 RTBS, 7 zebra danios, 14 glowlite tetras and about 50 bristlenosed catfish (recently breed). The tank has been setup for more than 2 years. Tank is cluttered with rocks and hollow logs. There's never been a death.

RTBS are territorial. They never school and spent no more than 30 seconds together at a time. RTBS are bottom feeding catfish. They're algae eaters. Supply adequate algae and the fish with have no reason for aggression.

I'm guessing people have trouble with these fish because of their tank setup. Without competition for food, I've found RTBS to be peaceful.

Has anyone had similar experiences? Are my fish freaks, or are RTBS misunderstood?

belamyboo

Firstly lucky you! normally this would mean trouble. It could be the number of the RTBS is a contributing factor, they will be aggressive but when there is a high amount of them there is to many for the dominant fish to chase, this is why all the LFS have lots of them in the same tank, and why people don't realize they should really be in high numbers or alone. I am in no way an expert please correct me if I'm wrong!

Johawk

23 gallons with that many fish? I'm pretty sure that's not good.

Jo3olous

yes red tail sharks are semi-aggressive. yes they are territorial. yes when they mature and reach adult age they are VERY cranky and will terrorize the tank. Yes there are several posts on many forums about how bad they can be as adults that they have to be seperated.
There are of course Tank Anomallies - yours may be one of them. I am trying to do something interesting myself which is putting a clown loach with my red tail shark. It's a different bottom feeder, but it has a red tail and the RTBS will confuse it for its own kind, which is hates. My clown hides when the red tail is out, and comes out when the redtail hides. Haven't seen them confront each other yet though.

Tanks been running for 2 months. Both loach and RTBS are about same size.

Red1313

See now I've read that loaches and rts can get along very well... And I think the loach will out grow the rts in the end and that should get rid of any agression. Howeever correct me if I'm wrong.

eman

5 RTBS, 7 zebra danios, 14 glowlite tetras and 50 catfish? In 1 tank? I'm new to this fish thing, but even if they are babies, isnt that waaay too many fish for a 23 g?

They probabley aren't agressive because there is no room for agression.