Red tail black shark experience

[calivivarium1]

I need to update the main thread; but I still have the paludarium in my signature setup. I have 8 Odessa barbs and the 8 dwarf chain loaches left. I have really been thinking about adding a single red tail black shark (epalzeorhynchos bicolor). I have read that the shark SHOULD leave my loaches alone; but I am also wondering if he would pester my barbs which have similar coloration. My biggest concern, however, is that the shark doesn't harass my loaches too much; I really like them and have had several for about five years now. Anyone have personal experience with tankmates for these guys?

Any other ideas for stocking the tank; preferably of fish that come from the Chao Praya river basin in Thailand or the Thai/Myanmar border area? I wouldn't mind a pair of gourami but I think the barbs would have a heyday with their fins. I'm not particularly keen to do SAE again; but I haven't completely ruled them out either. I just want to finish the fauna in the tank and maybe finally finish the background with a few more plants instead of just letting moss take over.

 

[67chevelle]

I keep a rainbow shark with ruby red barbs. The shark chases them, but doesn't really do anything. Just seems to like chasing anything it can really.

 

[Vincenia]

The Red Tail Black Shark is very similar if not the same as the Ruby/Rainbow Shark. Both can be very pesky and active fish. Only thing to worry out is them jumping out of the tank, I've had a lot jump ship. They mostly just chase fish around, had them chase angels, but never my bottom feeders.

 

[calivivarium1]

Thanks; the tank is pretty tall so I'm not worried about him/her jumping out of this one. I have yet to have any jumpers with the Odessa Barbs or SAE's when I had them (and I have had a few injuries from excited fishing slamming into the walls/objects).

If the shark were to just chase the barbs, I am sure they would probably get along great.... The barbs seem to spend 3/4 of their "day" chasing each other around. The other quarter is divided between being chased by loaches or eating. Here are the possible, future tank mates.

 

[Duckie]

calivivarium1 you should be worried about him jumping unless there is a secure lid without gaps. Had one jump out of a 29gal tank with a lid that had some gaps - never seen him swim at the top. Guess when the urge comes, they just run up top and jump out.

 

[calivivarium1]

I think my tank will be okay with not lid; its got over 12" from the water line to the top. And part of it does have a lid.

 

[fishorama]

I've had both RT & rainbow sharks over the years but never with small loaches. I did have them kill corys more than once by body slamming them into the substrate. I "think" loaches would be safer since they understand territories, unlike corys. I'd expect chasing but no real harm. It might be a good idea to change around the hiding places before adding a shark so it & the loaches can establish their own areas without conflicts.

Nice tank & fish, BTW

 

[calivivarium1]

I've had both RT & rainbow sharks over the years but never with small loaches. I did have them kill corys more than once by body slamming them into the substrate. I "think" loaches would be safer since they understand territories, unlike corys. I'd expect chasing but no real harm. It might be a good idea to change around the hiding places before adding a shark so it & the loaches can establish their own areas without conflicts.

Nice tank & fish, BTW

Thanks! Alright, I will just try to keep an eye on them then. I can't move around all the "cover" because some of it is attached to the background; I can probably add a tiny bit and move part of the existing cover though.

 

[kiddevo]

Thanks; the tank is pretty tall so I'm not worried about him/her jumping out of this one. I have yet to have any jumpers with the Odessa Barbs or SAE's when I had them (and I have had a few injuries from excited fishing slamming into the walls/objects).

If the shark were to just chase the barbs, I am sure they would probably get along great.... The barbs seem to spend 3/4 of their "day" chasing each other around. The other quarter is divided between being chased by loaches or eating. Here are the possible, future tank mates.View attachment 216282

Good looking Odessa's!

 

[Rafini]

I have two Botia Kubotai in with a red tail shark and they completely ignore eachother. they are in a 120g though. The sharks are actually in the Barb family so I'm not sure how they act around odessa's but I have a group of filament barbs in my aquarium and they coexist wonderfully. I don't forsee you having any issues unless you just happen to get the one red tail in the store that is a psycho.