Red Tail Black Shark

mister ben

mister ben

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Jan 22, 2005
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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.
 
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Its not even big enough for the plec and clown loaches let alone the shark
 
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?
 
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
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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