shark question

[TSBacon]

i just got a 20g tank and want to get either a red tailed black or a rainbow shark(preferably). i've looked in many books and all seem to say something different about them - some say "excellent, peaceful community fish" others say "extremely aggressive, nightmare" others say "one per tank" others say "groups." now clearly i can't get a group with only 20g, but can anyone give me a straight answer as to the nature of these fish?

i just set the tank up on friday and plan to upgrade in the spring whenever my tax check comes and i've moved out of here, so it would have more space in about six months. this fish is kind of the impetus for me getting an aquarium in the first place, so its comfort takes priority over my getting all kinds of other species. right now i have five zebra danios and don't have my eye on many others.

any information would be appreciated. thanks.

[Larissa]

I love my rainbow shark but he is a huge bulley. I have a 55g with two angels, 5 neons, 3 cories, him and a skunk loach. He chases everybody .

[jrd]

red tails are a good fish i had 1 in a tank with other fish but no other red tails
it was very depresed and killed it self you should get 3 no less no more

[reignman40]

I have research those sharks a lot as I want to get one. Don't get more then 1 of either. They are very aggressive towards their own type. They do well with other semi-aggressive fish like Tiger Barbs. I've heard Angelfish are ok with them. Make sure there are plenty of hiding spots and cover. They are territorial which is why I personally wouldn't put them in less then a 55. That way they would have enough space to have their own territory of the tank without much trouble. I wouldn't try it in a smaller tank though.

Hope that helps,
Curtis

[Puffernewbee]

I had a red tail in a 72 gallon community tank and I had to get rid of him. He spent most of his day stressing out all of the other fish. He was an equal opportunity harrasser. My LFS said that they get them back all the time because they need to be in a tank with semi-aggresive fish like them that fight back in order to keep them in check. Definitely do not want them in the same tank with another red tail.