Red Tail Shark Care Guide: Color, Tank Mates & All About

Thinking about eye-popping freshwater sharks in your aquarium tank? The red tail shark is the most popular of the freshwater aquarium shark species.

The fish is very beautiful to look at, with a long red tail and black body. It is a very active swimmer and does well in a community tank.

Despite its name, the red tail shark is not a true shark. It is actually a member of the carp family. However, this fish can be considered a little difficult to maintain, similar to Jack Dempsey of the cichlid family.

This article will provide a care guide for the red tail shark, including information on size, tank mates, and ideal water conditions. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about keeping a red-tail shark in your aquarium!

History and First Sighting

The red-tailed black shark is a member of the carp family, also known as the redtail sharkmino, redtail catfish, or just black shark.

It is a freshwater species that is native to Thailand but has been introduced to other areas of Southeast Asia (In Thailand). The red tail is a popular aquarium fish and gets its name from the long, reddish tail fin.

An expedition in 1934 reported the first specimens of the fish in the Chao Phraya River south of Silom, Thailand.

The fish was likely first introduced to the aquarium trade in the early 1970s and has been bred in captivity since at least 1986. The species is considered to be of Least Concern by the IUCN Red List.

Species overview of Red Tail Shark

Common names:	Red-tailed black shark, redtail shark minnow, red-tailed Labeo
Scientific name:	Epalzeorhynchos bicolor
Distribution:	Thailand
Size:	6 inches
Life expectancy:	5–8 years
Color:	Black with a red or orange tail
Diet:	Omnivore
Temperament:	Semi-aggressive, territorial
Minimum tank size:	55 gallons
pH:	6.0–8.0 pH
Temperature:	72°–79°F (22°–26°C)
Hardness:	5–15 dGH
Care level:	Intermediate
Breeding:	Egg layer

The red-tail shark (Epalzeorhynchos bicolor), also known as the red-tailed black shark, is a freshwater fish native to Thailand.

At first, you might think that this fish is a predatory saltwater shark of the chondrithys class, but you would be wrong.

Red tail sharks prefer the turbid or sandy bottoms of freshwater rivers and aquarium tanks. The Thailand Fish Research Institute published a report in 2011 that the Red Tail Shark was extinct in the wild.

The good news is that they are not extinct and are still being caught in the wild for the aquarium trade. In their natural habitat, red tail sharks grow to about 6 inches long, but in captivity, they only grow to be about 3-4 inches long.

The red tail shark is a semi-aggressive and territorial fish that should not be kept with other sharks or fish with long fins.

They are also known to be nippy so it is best to keep them with other semi-aggressive fish such as barbs, danios, and rainbows (We can discuss this in more detail next week).

Adding this fish to your aquarium tank can cost $5-$10 per fish. They are an omnivore and their diet consists of pellets, flakes, freeze-dried, live, and frozen foods.

When keeping more than one red tail shark, it is best to have at least 2 females for every male because they can be aggressive when mating. The ideal tank size for these fish is 55 gallons or more.

Now you know a little more about red tail sharks and their history. We hope you enjoyed this article and please check back next week for another exciting species!

All about Red Tail Shark

Ask yourself how deeply you know about this fish. The fish look beautiful and know more about freshwater aquarium fish.

In this section, I will discuss everything about red tail shark fish. The appearance, size, and lifespan of red tail sharks, the shark’s diet, and menu.

Appearance

The body of a red tail shark is torpedo-shaped and flat from top to bottom. The coloring of the fish is dark gray on the back, light gray on the sides, and white on the belly.

The fins are all black with a white or yellowish stripe running along the leading edge. The most distinguishing feature of this species is the large, red tail fin.

The mouth of this fish is slightly curved U-shaped and has 2 antennae on the upper lip. One of the reasons why it looks so beautiful is that its body is black but the fins and tail are red in color.

The total number of fins of red tail sharks is 8. Red tail sharks have 2 dorsal fins, 2 pectoral fins, 1 ventral fin, 1 anal fin, and 2 pelvic fins.

When I first saw red tail sharks I thought of rainbow sharks and albino sharks. Because it looks just like them but with a different color.

The fins on the back are long at first but gradually taper towards the tail. The anal and dorsal fins are equal in size and both have a black margin.

The pectoral fins are also long and taper towards the pointed tips. The pelvic fins are shorter than the pectoral fins and are located just behind them.

Notice the change in color of the fish when it will gradually mature. Male adult red tail sharks are more brightly colored than females.

When they are juveniles, both sexes look alike with the only difference being in their size.You will notice the difference between 12 and 15 months of age and after 2 years their color will gradually turn pale red and grey.

Male or female will be determined by looking at their belly size eg. If the female’s belly is larger and plumper, it means that she is full of eggs and is ready to mate. Males on the other hand tend to be slimmer with smaller bellies.

Size & Lifespan

In 2018, research reports on all species of freshwater aquarium sharks were published. The mentioned report can be seen in the table below.

According to that report, the average size of a fully grown red tail shark is between 18 and 20 cm (7-8 inches).

The biggest ever recorded red tail shark was 22 cm (9 inches). This fish is known to live up to 8 years in captivity but can live much longer in the wild.

The lifespan of a red tail shark in captivity can be affected by many factors such as the quality of water, food, and care. In the wild, this fish can live up to 12 years.

Behavior

The red tail shark is a semi-aggressive fish that is known to be territorial. They are mostly found in the lower and middle regions of the water column.

This fish is a shy species that does not like to be in the company of other fish. In the wild, they are found solitary or in pairs. But in captivity, they can be kept in groups of 3 or more.

The fish is known to be active during the day and rests at night. They are not schooling fish but rather solitary species.

They prefer to live at the bottom of aquarium tanks and may occasionally attack invertebrates (shrimps).

The red tail shark is not a picky eater and will eat anything that fits in its mouth. They are known to be opportunistic feeders and will scavenge for food.

This fish is not known to be a fin nipper but may attack other fish if they feel threatened. They are also known to attack their own species if they are not kept in groups.

The red tail shark is a hardy fish that can adapt to different water conditions. They are known to be tolerant of high levels of ammonia and nitrates.

This fish is not known to jump out of the water but may do so if the water conditions are not ideal.

Pros and Cons of Red Tail Shark

Red tail sharks are a beautiful addition to any freshwater aquarium. They are relatively easy to care for and are peaceful fish that get along well with other tank mates.

However, there are a few things to consider before adding one to your tank.

5 Personality of the Red Tail Shark

Now you know the appearance and behavior of the red tail shark, it’s time to take a closer look at their personality.

Very Active: The red tail shark is a very active fish, constantly swimming and exploring its surroundings.

This makes it an exciting pet to watch and can be a lot of fun for people who enjoy being around animals that are always on the move.

However, this activity level also means that the red tail shark needs a lot of space to swim and plenty of hiding places to feel secure.

If their tank is too small or doesn’t have enough places for them to explore and hide, they can become stressed and may start to display aggressive behaviors.

Intelligent: Despite their small size, red tail sharks are actually quite intelligent fish.

They have been known to learn tricks and can be trained to do simple tasks on command.

This intelligence, combined with their active nature, makes them one of the more challenging fish to keep as a pet.

They require a lot of stimulation and if they become bored, they may start to exhibit destructive behaviors such as chewing on tank decorations or swimming obsessively.

Aggressive: While they are not necessarily aggressive fish, red tail sharks can be quite territorial.

They are known to fight with other fish that invade their space and may even attack their owner’s hand if it enters the tank.

For this reason, it’s important to give them plenty of space and to only keep them with other peaceful fish that are similar in size.

Red tail sharks are also known to be nippy and may bite their owners if they are not handled carefully.

If you do decide to keep a red tail shark as a pet, it’s important to be aware of their temperament and to take steps to ensure that everyone in the household is safe around them.

Habitat and Tank Conditions

In the beginning, I said the original habitat of the red tail shark fish is in Thailand. And the waters where they come from are murky, with a temperature of around 77 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit. The natural habitat of the red tail shark is in rivers and streams.

Tank Conditions

Minimum Tank Size	55 Gallons
Tank Type	Freshwater Planted
Temperature	71-80°F
pH	6.5-7.5
Hardness	5-12 dGH
Flow	Medium to Heavy
Lighting	Moderate to Bright
Substrate	Fine Gravel or Sand
Filter   Canister or Hang-on-Back
Water Heater   Optional

Let’s start with the water condition of the aquarium tank. The water should be clean and fresh all the time. The best way to keep the water quality good is to do a weekly water change of 20-30%.

The temperature of the aquarium should be around 77 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit. You can use a water heater to maintain the temperature if needed.

The pH level of the aquarium should be 6.5 to 7.5 and the hardness of the aquarium should be 5 to 12 dGH. The flow of the aquarium should be medium to heavy.

The lighting of the aquarium should be moderate to bright. The substrate of the aquarium can be fine gravel or sand.

The filter of aquarium can be a canister or hang-on-back filter. When it comes to tank mates, red tail sharks are not very social fish.

They are known to be aggressive and territorial. So, it is best to keep them alone in the aquarium. If you have to put them with other fish, make sure they are peaceful fish and are similar in size.

Now that you know about the habitat and tank conditions of red tail sharks, you can provide them with a good home and take care of them properly.

Tank Mates

Red tail sharks are not very social fish and are known to be aggressive and territorial. So, it is best to keep them alone in the aquarium.

If you have to put them with other fish, make sure they are peaceful fish and are similar in size.

Some good tank mates for red tail sharks are:

• Guppies
• Mollies
• Platies
• Swordtails
• Tetras

But I kept the red tail shark in my aquarium with the other sharks and they get along just fine. If you have a 55-gallon aquarium tank or larger, you can keep more than one red tail shark.

I have seen people keeping 5 or more red tail sharks in their aquarium and they seem to do just fine. But, if you are a beginner, I would recommend keeping only one red tail shark in the

Guppies are another good choice for a tank mate and they are peaceful fish. Mollies are also peaceful fish and can be good tank mates for red tail sharks.

Among the Tetras family, the Neon Tetra would make a good tank companion for a red tail shark. These are just some of the good tank mates for red tail sharks.

You can also keep other peaceful fish that are similar in size to the red tail shark. Which fish should be avoided as tank mates for red tail sharks?

Some of the fish that should be avoided as tank mates for red tail sharks are:

• Bettas
• Gouramis
• Goldfish
• Cichlids
• Shrimps
• Crabs
• Lobsters
• Calves

Bettas, Gouramis, and Goldfish are not good tank mates for red tail sharks because they are known to be aggressive fish. Cichlids are also not good tank mates because they can be too aggressive for the red tail shark.

Shrimps, crabs, lobsters, and calves should be avoided as tank mates because they are potential food for the red tail shark.

Now that you know about the tank mates for red tail sharks, you can choose the right fish for your aquarium.

Red Tail Shark Fish Care

Now that you know about the habitat and tank conditions of red tail sharks, you can provide them with a good home and take care of them properly.

Here are some general guidelines to help you get started:

1. Choose the right size tank.

As mentioned before, red tail sharks grow to be about 18 inches long, so you will need a tank that is at least 50 gallons.

2. Set up your tank correctly.

Be sure to include plenty of hiding places and smooth rocks or sandy substrate for the red tail shark to swim around in.

3. Choose your tank mates carefully.

Red tail sharks are generally peaceful fish, but they can be aggressive towards other fish that are similar in size or shape.

It is best to avoid keeping them with other bottom-dwelling fish, such as loaches and catfish.

4. Feed your red tail shark a varied diet.

These fish are not fussy eaters and will accept most kinds of food, including pellets, flakes, and frozen foods. Be sure to give them a variety of foods to keep them healthy.

It is best to feed your red tail shark small meals several times a day, rather than one large meal.

This will help prevent them from becoming overweight and will also help keep the water quality in your tank high.

5. Keep an eye on your red tail shark.

Like all fish, they are susceptible to diseases such as ich and white spot. Be sure to watch for any signs of illness and seek treatment from a veterinarian if necessary.

By following these guidelines, you can provide your red tail shark with a happy and healthy home.

Breeding Red Tail Shark

Red tail sharks are generally easy to breed in the home aquarium. If you have a male and female that are both in good health, they will likely spawn on their own.

Spawning usually takes place at night, and the female will lay up to 200 eggs on a smooth surface, such as a rock or piece of driftwood.

The male will then fertilize the eggs and they will hatch within 7-10 days. After the eggs have hatched, the fry (baby fish) will be able to fend for themselves and do not need any special care.

They can be fed on live foods such as brine shrimp or bloodworms. If you want to breed red tail sharks, it is best to set up a separate breeding tank so that the fry (baby fish) can be removed after they are born.

This will prevent them from being eaten by their parents or other tank mates.

Common disease

One of the most common diseases that affect red tail sharks is white spot disease, also known as ich.

This disease is caused by a parasite that infects the fish and causes white spots to appear on their body.

The spots are usually round and look like grains of salt. Ich can be fatal if it is not treated quickly. If you think your red tail shark has ich, you should take them to a veterinarian as soon as possible.

Other common diseases that affect red tail sharks include bacterial infections, fungal infections, and parasites.

These diseases can usually be treated with antibiotics or other medications. Be sure to seek treatment from a veterinarian if you think your red tail shark is sick.

By taking good care of your red tail shark and keeping an eye out for signs of illness, you can help them stay healthy and enjoy a long life.

Which Reasons You Should Keep Red Tail Shark in Your Aquarium?

1. Red tail sharks are one of the most popular freshwater aquarium fish. They are known for their beautiful coloration and wide fins.

2. Red tail sharks are very active fish and make great additions to community tanks. They do well with other peaceful fish that are similar in size.

3. Red tail sharks are relatively easy to care for as long as their tank is properly set up. They require a tank with plenty of hiding places and a good filtration system.

4. Red tail sharks are not recommended for beginners since they can be quite aggressive towards other fish. However, they make great pets for experienced aquarium hobbyists.

5. Red tail sharks are definitely one of the most popular freshwater aquarium fish available. If you are looking for a beautiful and active fish for your tank, then a red tail shark is a great choice!

The Summary

The red tail shark is a popular freshwater aquarium fish known for its beautiful coloration and wide fins. They are very active fish and make great additions to community tanks.

Red tail sharks are relatively easy to care for as long as their tank is properly set up. They require a tank with plenty of hiding places and a good filtration system. Red tail sharks are not recommended for beginners since they can be quite aggressive towards other fish.

However, they make great pets for experienced aquarium hobbyists. If you are looking for a beautiful and active fish for your tank, then a red tail shark is a great choice!

If you any questions about red tail sharks or other freshwater aquarium fish, be sure to ask your local veterinarian or an experienced aquarium hobbyist. They will be able to give you more information and help you make the best decision for your tank.