feehan

i have just got a tank and one of the fish i am looking into getting is a RTS, its only a 15g/60 litre tank and i have been told they can grown reallly big, if so my tank will not be big enough for one. is this true about the massive lenght, because i saw quite a few in the pet shop who were really small (probably babies).

also can they be put with betta like a siamese fighting fish (probably a recipe for disaster).

i have no final decisions on what fish i want to get yet just knocking ideas about.

thanks

aquarist48

Hello Feehan. The red tail shark (RTS) will grow to about 6 to 8 inches. The problem with them requiring a larger tank (than 15g) is because they are so territorial. Personally I suggest at least a 55g tank for them.
http://www.fishlore.com/Profiles-RedTailShark.htm
Please note I totally disagree with the tank size suggested at that link.


Betta fish:
Welcome and Betta Care Guide - Please Read First!!!
Bettas or Siamese Fighting Fish need to have a tank of their own. You could possibly have a Cory Cat or two in there or possibly some snails. They don't do well with other species and they don't do well with members of their own kind.
Ken

Gouramiguy17

You might be able to get away with a betta and a school of tetras if the tetras aren't too nippy.

feehan

thanks for the info. thats a shame about the betta, beautiful looking fish. i will read all the info.

thanks

Red1313

I know it's been mentioned but 15 gals isn't even close for an RTS. They need a tank at least 36" long and preferably 55gal or up. In a 15 you could have threadfin rainbows and some cory's.

Diggly

Bettas usually do best on their own though I have mine with 3 otos and they get on fine!

I have a ruby shark which is similar in size to the RTS and I had him in my 20g for a month (before I had the betta) and I didnt notice a change in him but as soon as I put him into the 120g he tripled in size so I really wouldnt reccomend it! I am afraid I may have stunted him slightly in just that month.

I would reccomend some bn plecos or otos for tank cleaning, actually I see you are in London and I have just had a spawn so when they are big enough you can have one of those if you want for free. Corys are also fun to watch.

Then I guess it depends on what you want personality wise out of your fish.

My Betta comes up to the glass to see me and eats bloodworms out of my hand (he is a picky little thing though and only eats bloodworms!!) he is also funny to watch when he flares at himself! If you wanted more than just a betta, check out the betta section for shawnies link on how to divide a tank.

Tiger barbs are given alot of bad press but I have a school of them and I would recommend them, they know who you are and will follow you around the tank begging for food, you can also house them with cherry barbs, tetras (as long as you have 6 or more barbs you should have no problems) or other barbs like the black ruby barb pretty much anything that wont eat them or doesnt have long fins.

right im rambling ill move on out .

Shawnie

great advice until the barbs....15gals isnt enough and they will nip anything (even eachother) even in a proper school...they need more space ...

Diggly

yeah I was downstairs making a sandwich and I realised that .

Forget the barbs until you get a bigger tank (it will happen )