Fishzone08

Hi
I have a 18.5 UK gallon tank with 1 Red tailed shark in.
I would like to add some fish but what fish would get on with the RTS?
Please help

TFA101

Adding the red tail shark first didn't do any good in this situtation, as of now, he probably thinks he owns the tank, especially if you've had him for a while. Also, red tails get big, about 6" (15cm) long and are quite aggressive fish, so anything you add must be able to hold their own with the shark. In this case, I would recommend rearranging around all decorations in the aquarium so all territory your shark built up and "Owns" is neutralized. Before doing this, purchase your desired fish, maybe a shoal of tiger barbs, so you can add them to the tank at the same time the RTS has to decide what is his and what isn't.This should reduce any aggression the RTS shows towards the new fish as all territory has been neautralized.

Fishzone08

So should I add 5 Tiger Barbs to the aquarium without it being overcrowded?

dee34

hi there he tiger barbs would be ok but they are fin nippers ! the shark will outgrow the tank . black widows will mix well with the barbs , id think hard about the shark first tho ....

TFA101

after a while, the shark would out grow the tank even if he was in there alone for his life. The tiger barbs and shark will not over crowd the tank, but you'll need to eventually rehome the shark in the long run.

Oh, and if the shark nips at the tiger barbs, they will nip back, so tiger barbs are good choices for the shark as tankmates. If your shark must be rehomed, you can add in a school of black widow tetras as mentioned above, they have the personality of tiger barbs, minus the flashy colors. But I've had those tetras before and I really enjoyed them.

Fishzone08

Thanks for the info!
But on the FishLore site it says Red Tailed Shark should be in 10 gallons or larger?

TFA101

for juvenile specimens, its alright, but these fish grow quickly, so upgrading the tank size is a must if you want him to grow to full size and remain healthy.

Fishzone08

Thanks for the info!

TFA101

No problem

sylice8

hi i have also found good matchs for them with a litlle bit bigger community species i have 2 rainbow fish with mine and 1 dwarf gourami and a platy and they all get along great they r in a 55 gal tank but he does stay under his rock when scarred but he is out alot so u can try with community fish just for a suggestion it worked with me and other people say it works as well so goood luck with it!

AlyeskaGirl

I have mine in a 55 gal also with bigger fish but added him last. He shares a resting cave with my Senegal Bichir.....but have another spot he likes to hangout in. So I agree that keeping them with bigger fish keeps them less aggressive.

IMO a 10 gallon is small for a RTS but doable.......but not big enough to add tankmates....but that's just me.