just a quicky...

[Red Tailed Wonder]

can a Red Tailed Shark and Clown Loach co exist happily ina 45g?



thnx flag.

[DaisyTattoo]

I would say no. I say this bc Red Tailed Sharks tend to get aggressive to fish that are of similar shape and size to them. I also say that the Clown Loach will need a larger tank when it matures as they get very large.

[Red Tailed Wonder]

ye but it takes like 15-20 yrs for them 2 get that big. im not gonna keep em that long! waddya suggest then 1 rd tail shark? or 2 clowns?

[Roan Art]

Flagfish,

I suggest no clowns. Clown loaches are schooling grouping fish and need to be in groups of three or more, although I think they should be in schools of six or more.

Cripes, I can't even imagine any of my 3" clowns in a 45g. They would go nuts. Sure, it may take them a long time to get to 12", but it doesn't tank THAT long for them to grow from 1½" to 3". I've had mine 5 months and they are in a 75g. Next year I plan on a MUCH larger tank for these guys.


My 2 cents

Roan

[Roan Art]

ye but it takes like 15-20 yrs for them 2 get that big. im not gonna keep em that long! Why would you get a fish you don't intend to keep?

Roan

[Red Tailed Wonder]

so a single rt shark?

[Roan Art]

so a single rt shark?
Can't comment on that one, so I'll leave it to someone else. Closest I have to a shark are my SAE.

Roan

[hike13]

so a single rt shark?

I think a single red tail shark would be fine in a 45 gallon tank. The profile here on AC says a min of 25 gallons. Just to warn you though, red tails can be aggressive and nasty. My brother has one that goes after his tetras constantly. That guy is just a bully. He seemed to get along ok with with the gourammi's but they are a lot bigger than tetras. And he has gotten nastier and more agrresive as he has gotten older (and bigger, close to 5" now)

[DaisyTattoo]

I agree with the nasty part. I got rid of mine at 6 inches bc he was beating up his tank mates. He would actually leave bite marks on them. It was horrible.

[Candycat21]

Depending on what you plan on keeping in the tank with Red Tail Shark, will determine if he is going to be suitable at all for your setup. Size wise he would be fine in a 45 gallon.
The clowns are not an option for you for that size tank. They are schooling so would need to be in a group of at least 6 or more and they grow large. I have 8 of them in my 250 and I've only had them a year...they're all pushing 8-9 inches each!

[UncaBret]

Why would you get a fish you don't intend to keep?

Roan
He's gonna do whatever he wants. I don't know why he bothers to ask. He was told the gourami were a bad idea, but got them anyway.

[Roan Art]

He's gonna do whatever he wants. I don't know why he bothers to ask. He was told the gourami were a bad idea, but got them anyway.
Yah, I know, but there's always hope. I think.

Roan

[Roan Art]

The clowns are not an option for you for that size tank. They are schooling so would need to be in a group of at least 6 or more and they grow large. I have 8 of them in my 250 and I've only had them a year...they're all pushing 8-9 inches each!They've been in the 250g all along, haven't they? I have long suspected that clowns will grow very quickly if they are housed in the right sized tank -- in other words they stunt easily.

I'm definitely talking hubby into at least a 72x24 footprint next year.

Roan

[Candycat21]

I started my clowns in the 46 until I had the 250 up and running. They were in the 46 for about 2 months, but were also about an inch at the time. They are a lot happier in the larger tank and I expect them to reach full size within the next 6 months to a year tops. :bday:
I think you're right about them stunting easily, as when I first started keeping fish, which was many moons ago and no one knew what we do now, I had 3 in a 20 gallon tank :eek: for about 6 months....they never grew more than 3 inches and sadly died despite doing frequent water changes...but I know better now and wanted to do it right!! :D
They're one of my favourite fish and absolutely gorgeous, especially when they're larger than those many see in the pet stores

[Roan Art]

I started my clowns in the 46 until I had the 250 up and running. They were in the 46 for about 2 months, but were also about an inch at the time. They are a lot happier in the larger tank and I expect them to reach full size within the next 6 months to a year tops. :bday:
I think you're right about them stunting easily, as when I first started keeping fish, which was many moons ago and no one knew what we do now, I had 3 in a 20 gallon tank :eek: for about 6 months....they never grew more than 3 inches and sadly died despite doing frequent water changes...but I know better now and wanted to do it right!! :D
They're one of my favourite fish and absolutely gorgeous, especially when they're larger than those many see in the pet stores
Amen and you've just confirmed my hunch. Mine have grown much faster in the 75g than they did in the 36g they started in.

I can't wait to get the six of them in a MUCH larger tank and I'll probably add even more to the school. Awesome fish.

Ron

[Red Tailed Wonder]

what about dwarf clown loach? they stay smaller.

im planning on a large school of tetras maybe lemons. or a couple of congos. Or a totally different setup, 3-4 discus! :-)

[Roan Art]

what about dwarf clown loach? they stay smaller.
If you are referring to Botia sidthimunki or Yasuhikotakia sidthimunki, they aren't dwarf clown loaches. They are called "dwarf loaches" or "chain loaches".

Several sites have them for sale. Live Aquaria says they get to 2", so add at least an inch onto that. They list most of their fish sizes incorrectly.

Roan

[UncaBret]

3-4 discus in a 45? will that work?

[TheZoo]

Flagfish, why not move some of your existing fish to the new tank?

[Roan Art]

Flagfish, why not move some of your existing fish to the new tank?
No kidding, eh?

Frankly, I don't think I'll bother any more until he rehouses his other fish properly. He's not even getting this tank for two years.

Roan

[Red Tailed Wonder]

1 blue gouramie is.

[pugwash]

Please don't get Discus as they need 10 gallons each with a minimum of 6. Ideally in anything beyond 60 gallons. 4 would work in a 50-55 gallon.

I think RTBS are like betta's - some are pleasant, others are horrors. The one my Dad has is a perfect tankmate, about 5 inches, but I think a lot has to do with the environment they're in to. His tank is heavily planted with lots of bogwood, and therefore feels secure.

[TheZoo]

1 blue gourami is....what? If you mean that one gourami is definatly moving to another tank,thats good. Along with who else? (Is there no way you can get the new tank sooner?)

[Red Tailed Wonder]

no not until i move bedrooms. i may move the neons.

[Red Tailed Wonder]

=pugwash His tank is heavily planted with lots of bogwood, and therefore feels secure.

thats my exact plan :D