The red-tailed shark is an attractive freshwater fish that can stand apart in any type of freshwater aquarium. It is an energetic fish for seeing the enjoyment and also will supply plenty of hours of fun. that we have been learning for fairly time. Their straightforward yet striking appearance is something you don’t generally see in other types.
Due to their visual appeals, this fish has actually received a lot of interest from the aquarium community throughout the years. This is although that the species’ fate is certainly in a little bit of difficulty.
Yet these fish are not just lovely. They are in fact fairly simple to care for as well as can be very low maintenance, As a result of their non-picky nature, they are very easy to feed and as soon as settled in their fish tank they must not have way too much difficulty preserving good behavior. blessed. if you placed them in the appropriate habitat
In this short article, we cover every little thing you require to find out about exactly how to look after a red-tailed shark including typical habits, fish tank problems, food needs, exactly how large they are, mates in a Suitable storage tank as well as even more.
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Overview of Red Tail Shark
The Red Tail Shark (Epalzeorhynchos Bicolor) likewise referred to as Red Tail Black Shark, Fire Tail, Red-Tailed Labeo, and also Red Tail Shark Minnow, is a little freshwater fish native to Thailand.
It was discovered in the clear waters and also floodplains in the Menam Chao Playa basin, nonetheless due to too much poaching it was believed to have come to be extinct.
Nevertheless, as a result of the flourishing aquarium profession, the breed survives in private collections.
This fish is commonly recognized for its outstanding appearance; it has a totally black body with a vivid forked red tail.
Despite what its name would imply, this fish is in fact a kind of carp, not a shark as well as comes from the Cyprinidae family members.
In captivity, you ought to expect your fish to mature to 6 inches with most expanding to 5 inches, as well as it should live to around 6 years old.
As a result of their territorial nature, they ought to be kept in huge aquariums. It is an omnivore as well as not a fussy eater, consuming most points placed into the aquarium.
Life expectancy
The average Red Tail Shark lifespan is in between 5 and also 8 years. While there’s always an element of randomness to this, there are some things you can do to make certain that they live as long as possible.
Among them are purchasing your fish from a reliable seller, maintaining them in great habitat, and minimizing anxiety by keeping them with the appropriate container mates. Do not stress, we cover every one of those topics in this guide.
Red Tail Shark Look
The Epalzeorhynchos Bicolor is a standout in any kind of freshwater aquarium, with a deep black body balanced out with a red forked tail.
It’s their dorsal fin that is comparable in look to a shark, which is where its name comes from.
Their body is long and also slim with squashed sides and also a curved back. As for their head, you will certainly notice it has red eyes, and also its mouth has two sets of barbs. The form of its’ mouth helps it to ditch algae off the bottom of the aquarium.
You must expect them to grow up to 6″ with the majority of expanding to around 5″.
Interestingly when they are worried you will notice their red tail begins to discolor in shade.
At birth, you will not be able to tell the difference between males and women. However, as the woman matures and also reaches sex-related maturation, you will certainly observe she has a fatter and also all-around abdomen.
The Red Tail Shark is commonly confused with the Rainbow Shark. Whilst they do both belong to the Cyprinidae family members, they remain in reality different breeds. Along with the red tail, the Rainbow Shark also has red fins.
You must likewise see to it not to maintain your Epalzeorhynchos Bicolor with Rainbow Sharks as they will battle; more on this in the compatibility and also storage tank friend area.
Red Tail Shark Dimension
The average Red Tail Shark size is in between 4 as well as 6 inches when completely grown. This presumes excellent treatment and also hereditary problems.
In our experience, these varieties will commonly end up being on the greater end of that variety as long as you’re giving them proper care. We do not understand numerous aquarists who have a Red Tail under 5 inches.
Regular Behavior
As juveniles, you will certainly locate your Red Tails to be fairly timid. Consequently, you should give them lots of rooms to hide (check out the tank demands section below for more recommendations).
As they mature into grownups they will end up being territorial as well as can be aggressive to fish that stray into their territory.
Whilst they won’t physically bite or bother various other fish they will chase them to the point of exhaustion.
Every day you will find this fish swimming back as well as in the bottom area of the container. During feeding time you will certainly discover them bullying other fish if you feed them too very closely together.
In a very large storage tank (200+ gallons) with a large number of hide-places, it’s possible to keep several Epalzeorhynchos bicolor species, however, each fish will need at least 1 meter of the container length.
Red Tail Shark Storage Tank Mates
As a result of their possibility to be aggressive fish, it is essential you choose the right storage tank companions for your Red Tail Shark.
Fish that are extremely curious, aggressive, or bottom-dwellers aren’t a good suitable for them. They’ll either roam right into the Red Tail’s region or start a fight.
Fish that will mind their very own organization as well as invest more of their time in the upper fifty percent of the aquarium work. There’s never a complete guarantee that you will not see hostile habits, but if you intend to maintain them in an area tank those are the type of fish you’re searching for.
Below are some feasible Red Tail Shark container mates:
- Neon Tetra
- Bala Shark
- Honey Gourami
- Sparkling Gourami
- Congo Tetra
- Pearl Gourami
- Angelfish
- Dwarf Gourami
While it’s certainly feasible to keep greater than one Red Tail Shark in the very same aquarium, it includes danger. As a result of their territorial nature, there’s a high likelihood that these fish will battle unless they have a considerable amount of space.
In order to get around this, it’s suggested to have a few of them in the very same container instead of two. Nevertheless, this also indicates you’ll need to obtain a relatively huge storage tank. That’s why we advise you to avoid doing this as well as go with other storage tank companions instead.
Note: Fish that look similar ought to not be kept in the very same storage tank. An excellent example of this is the Rainbow Shark. There’s something about the red pigmentation that brings out territorial and aggressive actions.
Environment and also Storage Tank Requirements
As formerly mentioned the Red Tail Black Shark is native to the freshwater algae ponds of Thailand. Throughout the stormy period, they will inhabit the bottomlands, streams as well as woodland areas.
It is a very energetic fish that will invest the majority of its time “hectic”.
Over the last few decades, the wild population of Red Tails has actually been all but eliminated because of commercial-grade farming as well as excessive poaching. It is now noted as seriously threatened.
However, a prospering aquarium trade has actually suggested this breed is still in existence.
Storage tank Conditions
As they are known for being territorial (much more on this later), you ought to guarantee that juveniles have a container-sized at the very least 29 gallons and adults should be positioned in at the very least 55+ gallons.
You should likewise attempt to split the suck to limit the number of territorial habits and also aid safeguard even more timid container companions. To split the tank up you can make use of caves, driftwood as well as ensure the tank is well grown.
Water problems in the aquarium should be as follows:
- Temperature: 72 ° F and 79 ° F. – pH: 6.8-7.5.
- Water Solidity: 5-15 dH. For the water flow, you must try to see if the water is rapidly moving to reproduce its natural surroundings. For the substratum, you must be using crushed rock as well as stones.
- Additionally, keep in mind they can be jumpers so a weighted cover should be used.
Red Tail Shark Diet Plan as well as Feeding
The Red Tail Shark is an omnivore and in the wild, its diet regimen will contain plants, crustaceans, and also other tiny pests.
They are also known for being a scavenger and also therefore will certainly consume most points you take into the fish tank including flakes, pellets, live as well as frozen foods.
The cornerstone of their diet should consist of a top-quality pellet or flake. You can include some selection to this by treating them with meats and plant/vegetables.
For plant matter as well as vegetables you can feed them:
- Cucumber
- Peas
- Zucchini
- Fruit
As for meat, you can feed them:
- Brine shrimp
- Krill
- Bloodworms
- Daphnia
If you are feeding them vegetables make sure to clean them beforehand as well as rapidly eliminate them from the storage tank to stop them from decomposing.
They are likewise referred to as an algae eater, as well as you will certainly see them scratching algae from stones in your tank.
Simply bear in mind that they must have much more veggies and also plants than meat, as well as you ought to change up their diet regularly to supply them with some selection.
You might also think about making your own fish food to ensure they are obtaining the best feasible diet plan.
Compatibility and Tankmates
They have credibility for being somewhat aggressive and precarious fish. This credibility is right should have like it a territorial fish that will certainly come to be hostile needs to other fish enter its area or interrupt its feeding sessions.
Whilst it won’t always assault and damages various other fish it will certainly chase them constantly. This can create the harassed fish to merely pass away of exhaustion and poor nutrition.
Despite the fact that the Red Tail isn’t exactly the perfect prospect for a community storage tank, you can still maintain it with various other fish. You just need to be mindful of your selection.
Perfect Tankmates ought to be durable, quick, and often tend to invest their time in the center and also top degrees of the water column. A few examples include:
- Bala Shark
- Barbs
- Danios
- Angelfish
- Gouramis
- Tetras (emperor, cardinal, neon, and also glowlight).
- As for fish to avoid, the list is comprehensive!
Various other sharks such as Rainbow and also Red-finned should stay clear of. Fish with considerable red coloration can additionally be bullied. To be risk-free I would additionally suggest just preventing all other bottom occupants consisting of Plecos and also Cichlids.
Finally, it do without claiming any type of peaceful/docile fish needs to likewise be avoided.
Water Specifications.
Water criteria are an aspect of Red Tail Shark treatment that you won’t need to worry much regarding. These fish are rather sturdy and also can endure a reasonable array in the list below degrees:
- Water temperature: 72 ° F to 79 ° F( we choose the top half of that range).
- pH levels: 6.5 to 7.5.
- Water solidity: 10-15 KH.
Although these aren’t the most delicate varieties in the world, you need to constantly inspect the water criteria on a consistent basis. This will certainly protect against anything from shifting out of the recommended home windows and also impacting the wellness of your fish.
Buy a strong aquarium testing package to make sure the readings you’re obtaining are accurate. We’ve understood aquarists who have actually done significant damages to their tank as a result of an incorrect analysis!
What To Place in Their Tank.
Establishing an excellent Red Tail Shark habitat is rather easy once you comprehend their natural environment. As we stated earlier, this fish comes from the largest lake and overload area in main Thailand. These waters have lots of greenery, wood, and also rocks.
This implies you should include these things if you want your fish to be comfy. Not just will they offer enrichment as well as something these fish are familiar with, but it will likewise minimize their hostile propensities.
Any type of durable and also reasonably-sized plants like hornwort or water wisteria will certainly function well. There are many proprietors that’ve said their Red Tail Shark made a decision to make its home in plants rather than caves.
Some driftwood is a great inclusion that will certainly supply some range as well as places for fish to conceal. See to it there’s enough room to swim after including everything. It’s easy to go overboard when decorating a tank!
Illness Potential.
Red Tail Black Sharks do not have a certain disease that afflicts their varieties, but they can get any of the usual freshwater illnesses that exists.
One of the most common is Ich as well as fin rot. The chance of this occurring goes down dramatically if you supply them with excellent care as well as high-grade water conditions, yet the possibility is always there.
Our suggestion is to concentrate on avoidance rather than being paranoid concerning therapy. If your fish are unfortunate enough to get sick, there are a bunch of great sources online about how to take care of the illness (we’ll be adding some to our website.very soon too).
Until after that, do your ideal to feed your Red Tail Shark fantastic food and also give them a top-notch habitat. Be consistent concerning monitoring parameters and doing partial water modifications (this is the most common cause of illness).
Keep in mind: You ought to likewise invest a few mins every day evaluating your fish. Take a close seek to see if you notice anything out of the ordinary on their body (or in their actions). The earlier you realize that something is wrong, the better.
Final thought.
The Red Tail Shark is a spectacular freshwater fish that will undoubtedly remain to be preferred in the aquarium scene for quite a while.
Their unique appearance, as well as simple treatment demands, make them great suitable for a wide range of experience degrees. The only semi-tricky part of having one is dealing with their aggressiveness (and that’s just something to stress over if you plan on keeping them in a community container).
We hope this guide prepared you for Red Tail Shark care and urged you to offer this variety a shot. There’s absolutely nothing quite like seeing those bright red spots streak around your fish tank!
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