Red Tail Black Shark

[mister ben]

I have a new 10 gallon tank that has been properly cycled and currently contains 2 zebra danios, 2 harlequin rasboras, and a white cloud minnow. I plan to add a clown pleco when the tank has matured a bit and possibly a couple clown loaches by late next week (maybe swapping out the danios or the whitecloud if necessary).

What I would really like to add at the end is a Red Tail Black Shark. My question is; would this be to large of a fish to keep in such a tank? If not, what other fish should I keep in the tank with it?

Any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated since I really don't want to create any undesireable conditions for any of the fish in the tank.

[Maj0rFiSh]

Its not even big enough for the plec and clown loaches let alone the shark

[LMOUTHBASS]

a 10 gal is too small for a shark they are very territorial - also forget the clown pleco although they stay small it will prefer more than 10 gallons of water - if you are getting it for algae purposes then forget it altogether - they are lousy algae eaters - i have one i know - they don't eat much algae at all - if you want algae eaters ottos are great and will thrive in a 10g keep at least 3 of them -


how about 3 cories for the bottom and some more danios , whiteclouds, or small tetras for the top?

[LMOUTHBASS]

I just realized you also mention you want a couple of clown loaches - do you have a 75 gallon lying around? cause that's the minimum for a couple - they grow to a foot in time and require lots of room - a 10 is insufficient - you will stunt the fish and kill it in the 10 - with a 10 you really can't house anything more than a few small fish - you have to consider a fish's adult size when buying them for your tank

[Karnaaj]

Currently you have two species of schooling fish that your not keeping in schools. You need to add at least two of each to give them the feeling of security they desire. Clown loaches while peaceful are too big for your tank. Ditto to the Red Tail. The clown pleco is borderline. If you want algae control, oto's are the way to go. I second the nomination of the cories.

[mister ben]

Yeah, I was considering oto's as well because I heard they may be better suited to that size tank. As far as the fish that are currently in there, my lfs didn't say anything about them needing to school (although I was aware they were schooling fish, duh). I think I'll observe my current setup and decide which fish I want to focus on and return the rest.

How about a final configuration that went something like this?

3 danios (or rasboras)
3 corries
? otos (how many should I get)

Overall, your responses were pretty much what I had expected after my own research, I guess I just needed some confirmation on it. Thanks.

[LMOUTHBASS]

that sounds a little bit more like it! 3-5 ottos will be fine -

[labont865]

To be quite honest you can put the loaches in the ten gallon as they grow quite slowly, but you will have to upsize your tank in about a year to meet their eventual needs. As for the schooling fish, yes they prefer schools and will be less stressed but it really isnt a huge deal as long as they have at least one other of their species in the tank. But these guys have generally given you the proper advice, I am just saying you dont have to be absolutely 100% spot on with those rules. I would stay away from the shark too though as they can get quite aggressive and actually stress your other fish to death.

[mister ben]

Can anyone give any suggestions about what kind of otos and cories would be good for a newbie like myself?

Also, I'm really beginning to enjoy my Harlequin Rasboras, but everyone contributing to this thread seems to be pushing the Zebra Danios. Is there any reason for this other than personal preference? I'll most likely end up returning one of the groups and I'm trying to gather as much info as possible on each fish before I do so.

[carpguy]

Clown loaches don't belong in a 10, ever. Ditto the pleco and the shark, but especially the clowns. There are small loaches for people who like loaches, but even then a 10 is on the small side. Clowns are large fish. Big.

Danios tend to be a little zippier, probably better in a little bit longer tank. If you like the rasbora I'd stay with them. Personally, I prefer rasbora.

Some small corys or otos would make a nice bottom fish, or you could just stay with some schoolers.

[Raskolnikov]

I vote for 6 rasboras and 3 spotted cory cats, with a few ghost shrimp thrown in the mix. I'm not fond of zebra danios.

[Karnaaj]

Unless your really lucky, you are only going to find one type of oto for sale. As far as cories are concerned I would start out with the paleatus or the bronze. Both are hardy, easy to find and inexpensive. In my opinion you need at least four fish to make a school, six is better. Definitely go with the rasboras.

[mister ben]

so how about this setup:

5 rasbora
3 oto
2 cory

This sounds to me like I'd be overstocked, but then again, I don't know my *** from a hole in the ground when it comes to stocking a tank. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

[Karnaaj]

In a 10g tank, with those fish, you'll be all right. In fact I would recommend one more cory since they like to kept in groups as well. Just make sure that all three are of the same species.

[LMOUTHBASS]

Hi,
you know if you like the harlequins then stick with them! they are great for your 10 maybe get 2 or 3 more instead of zebras - as for otos you'll only find one type of otto called an otto so just look for them you'll find em'


for cories i'm fond of albino cories - they're so ugly they're cool looking - in fact i don't think they're ugly at all now but i remember when i first got into the hobby thinking they wrere ugly but then one day i just liked them - they're one of my fav fish - i find them more entertaining than other cories even though they are all basically the same - i think you can go with 3 cories dont forget to get them a sinking food though as it's not enough for them to just feed off of the left overs that float to the bottom!


If you want a loach you might be able to do a few kuhli loaches they might work in a 10g :dance

[mister ben]

I just wanted to say that I purchased 3 more Harlequins for a total of 5. I'm really glad I did, they are so much more confident and fun to watch now.

While I was at the lfs I talked to my favorite employee who said he liked the idea of gettting some cory's and some oto's better than clown loaches and the shark. He's got me on a "fish-installment" plan now. Also, I'm going to give the whitecloud and the 2 danios to my roomate, who has recently completed cycling his new tank.

Anyways, I just wanted to say thanks to all for the good advice. It was a big help.