Should i take in this fish?

So i wanted to get a few opinions on this. My friend has this red tailed shark that is currently living in a 5 gallon tank and he never takes care of it. He said i could have it if i wanted to but I’m just not sure. What if it brings disease into my current tank? Will it even be compatible with my current stock? I just feel so bad for the poor guy. I know my tank size isn’t ideal either but it’s definitely better than his current situation. I have a 37 gallon tank with 2 platys, 3 mollys, 6 Julii Corys, 10 neon tetras, one rubber lip Pleco and one dwarf gourami. Here are some pictures of the fish. What are your thoughts?

 

Depends, at that size yes it would survive and leave the other fish in your tank alone but not for long. Soon you would have to get a bigger tank or sell him

 

Your right its not ideal but better then its current conditions. I dont see it being a problem with your current stock.

 

Well that’s not the tank for him. Hey if you want him take him. Then think about your next tank . 55 or bigger .

 

He said it is around 3 inches.

 

Hmm if its only 3 inches and he's had it awhile it could be already stunted and never reach its potential size. I say go for it.

 

The thing is i can not upgrade my tank to anything bigger than my 37 gallon because my room is not big enough

 

A 37 is fine. He will do well with your fish. Just make sure you acclimate him correctly. Now go save that fish. Oh and slap whoever sold it to him .

 

Ok thank you guys! I think i will tell him that i will take his fish!

 

I'm a beginner but I would definitely think about quarantining the fish before putting in your aquarium.

 

So i just asked him and he said he has had the fish for about a year in that tank. Would that year be enough time to stunt the fish from growing? I just don’t want to get the fish then it starts growing fast and I’m stuck with the giant fish i can’t take care of properly

 

It won't stop him from growing per say but he will probably not top 5 inches. The last common pleco i rescued he took 2 years till he started to grow and them he grew slower then others i have had.

 

The biggest tank i could use for quarantine would be 2 gallons. Is that a problem?

 

red tailed black sharks are aggressive

 

Any tub or large container would work. I have used those blue bins before. Their 10 gallon I think.

 

The biggest tank i could use for quarantine would be 2 gallons. Is that a problem?

No, that should be ok, because it's not that long time he needs to be in there. I'm also sure you take good care of water quality. Just send us a pic when you got him.

 

Don't make his/her problem yours.
You probably would (should) never consider buying this fish if it was in a LFS.