Rainbow Shark Info

What kinds of tank mates can go with a rainbow shark? I've read that their aggression is usually directed at other sharks. Is this true? Thought about getting one of them instead of a pleco in the future after getting a bigger tank.

Also what all kinds of algae do they eat?

And what else can you tell me?

 

Personally, I wouldn't recommend any inexperienced people to get this fish.

These fish will be aggressive towards the same species as well as other Bottom dwelling fish. Once they grow older and mature they will become way more aggressive and will attack almost anything at the bottom of the tank.
Someone I've known's rainbow fish has killed an adult Jack Dempsey while it was asleep (the JD).

They will NOT eat anytime of Algae, except if they are in the form of tablet food.

Personally, I don't recommend you to get this fish, but I'm not stopping you if you'd like to.

 

So basically they can't go with anything.

 

So basically they can't go with anything.

They can, but a decently large tank size will be needed

 

They can, but a decently large tank size will be needed

But they don't eat natural algae at all?

 

But they don't eat natural algae at all?

Not at all.

If you want an Algae eater I would recommend a group of Nerite Snails, they do the job quite well for me

 

Not at all.

If you want an Algae eater I would recommend a group of Nerite Snails, they do the job quite well for me

Can you actually notice them eating? I have one but he doesn't do much. Would like to get 3-4 all different kinds though.

 

I have a two year old rainbow shark a albino 1

I had the advice like you got but I don't know I have him two years and all he does is chill with my plec, somtimes has a chase of my silver dollars but that's it I love this fish he comes to the tank when he sees me I'm not saying get one but in just saying mines ok.

 

They need a 55 gallon minimum. What other fish would you have?

 

They are WAY overrated aggression wise in my experience. I have kept rainbow, albino rainbow the and red tailed black shark, all were territorial, none were what I would call very aggressive. My albino rainbow was easily 6" TL, and quite peaceful in fact.

They are all territorial once adults, otherwise they are a large, active and solitary barb. An awesome fish though, they just need space, plenty of cover and robust, fast tankmates.

 

I have a two year old rainbow shark a albino 1 View attachment 320175
I had the advice like you got but I don't know I have him two years and all he does is chill with my plec, somtimes has a chase of my silver dollars but that's it I love this fish he comes to the tank when he sees me I'm not saying get one but in just saying mines ok.

I do still like them, but I honestly thought they could take the place of a pleco. Might still get one though. If I ever get a tank big enough with enough room for other fish.

 

They need a 55 gallon minimum. What other fish would you have?

If I ever get a 55 or bigger then probably an angel community (1-2 angels and compatible fish) or some various rams. Pretty much any tank plan I had though consists partly of cories and pleco though.

 

Mine rarely killed things, but they endlessly harassed and attacked. I hated watching them, and they took away the entire bottom of the tank, a spot where a lot of way more interesting fish can live.
Just charging, picking on, trying to hunt - not the least bit interesting to me.

They made me what I am today, a hater of fake sharks.

 

In my 55 my rainbow shark was fine with bottom dwelling cichlids, and I believe you could do loaches with them, like Y. morletI (skunk loaches) or Y. eos (Sun loaches).

 

Well......probably won't be getting one. Think I'd rather spend the bioload on an easier kept fish. Plus I've already been lucky with a super mellow betta. Knowing my luck I'd end up with a serial killer shark that'd wipe out my cories or other more expensive schools. Thank everyone for the info.

 

Well......probably won't be getting one. Think I'd rather spend the bioload on an easier kept fish. Plus I've already been lucky with a super mellow betta. Knowing my luck I'd end up with a serial killer shark that'd wipe out my cories or other more expensive schools. Thank everyone for the info.

I'm glad that you changed your mind.
Smaller species Plecos like BN plecos or other smaller Algae eaters like Otocinclus are better choices for community tanks.

 

They actually do nibble on algae, but by no means are they something that will control it to any noticeable extent.

 

They actually do nibble on algae, but by no means are they something that will control it to any noticeable extent.

Another reason why I have decided against one. Just get a pleco.... maybe.

 

If you are having algae issues I would suggest figuring out what type of algae it is, and what is causing it instead of getting a fish that my only become a temporary band-aid.
Here is a good link to read: Algae problems and how to deal with them

Also some plecos need more then just algae too, many thrive on meatier foods, and no matter what they eat you will have to feed them their own food on top of the algae.

 

I have had an experience very similar to grantm91. They seem to get along very well with plecos. When I had our shark in the big tank the pleco would chase almost anything else out of his tree, the shark he allowed.

 

If you are having algae issues I would suggest figuring out what type of algae it is, and what is causing it instead of getting a fish that my only become a temporary band-aid.
Here is a good link to read: Algae problems and how to deal with them

Also some plecos need more then just algae too, many thrive on meatier foods, and no matter what they eat you will have to feed them their own food on top of the algae.

I don't have any algae problems in my current tank. I've got a nerite (doesn't seem to do much), 2 ottos (I know more would be better and they also get zucchinI along with the mystery snail), and 3 cory (once again know more is better). Wanting to upgrade to a bigger tank, but probably will rehome the ottos thus opening up more room for my cory and rasbora schools. However when I do upgrade I would like some form of an algae crew to HELP with the algae. So when I read about the rainbow shark being an algae eater I got excited because it seems that they don't hide as much as plecos.

 

I have a full grown adult rainbow shark, he attacks my Yoyo loaches frequently but never bothers my bristlenose plecos or bumblebee catfish. The Yoyo loaches are robust enough that his attacks are rough play to them.
Smaller tanks result in much higher aggression and they will kill smaller fish, but can only harrass bigger fish.

 

I don't have any algae problems in my current tank. I've got a nerite (doesn't seem to do much), 2 ottos (I know more would be better and they also get zucchinI along with the mystery snail), and 3 cory (once again know more is better). Wanting to upgrade to a bigger tank, but probably will rehome the ottos thus opening up more room for my cory and rasbora schools. However when I do upgrade I would like some form of an algae crew to HELP with the algae. So when I read about the rainbow shark being an algae eater I got excited because it seems that they don't hide as much as plecos.

Well cory cats won't help at all with algae, since they eat mostly meaty foods. Nerites tend to go after green algae, I believe ottos also like green and hair algae. Some fish/inverts will only eat certain types of algae too. I think differently is all, I never really got into the whole keeping certain fish just because they like algae, I actually have a snail and shrimp tank because I like snails. Still the link I gave you can be helpful to prevent an algae outbreak.