Rainbow Shark with Malawis?

[Labenator65000]

See my profile for what I have. My LFS said the Rainbow Shark would be compatible. Opinions? As of now no one bothers it at all.

 

[Smcoyle87]

Yeah, i believe a rainbow shark can hold his own. As long as it has a place to retreat to i would think it should be okay.

 

[Convict2161]

I would like to hear more opinions on this...

 

[garfy]

Having done a little research I would say that yes a rainbow shark will be ok with African cichlids.

 

[Convict2161]

Having done a little research I would say that yes a rainbow shark will be ok with African cichlids.

This interests me. I wonder if I can get away with that when switch over to my 75g. I'll have 25 Africans in it.

 

[garfy]

I was quite surprised when I googled it.Several sites said the rainbow shark would be fine.
Personally I prefer the synodontis catfish.They look very much like sharks and are great with Africans.I have 2 in with my Africans and have had for about a year.All the catfish fins are in perfect condition.

 

[Convict2161]

I was quite surprised when I googled it.Several sites said the rainbow shark would be fine.
Personally I prefer the synodontis catfish.They look very much like sharks and are great with Africans.I have 2 in with my Africans and have had for about a year.All the catfish fins are in perfect condition.

I saw that too when I was on google and your right, I like look at them better. I read in the aquarium magazine that they are hard to get? Also I have a catfish (I think) he's upside down lol!! I had to get him! When I feed the Africans he comes out from hiding and there he is!! Upside down, I tell my wife, doesn't he get a headache?! LoL.



View attachment 61759

 

[garfy]

I have one synodontis decorus and one cuckoo catfish.Both are always out swimming.Will try to get some pics when the light comes on in a few hours.
It's really easy to get them here.

 

[Convict2161]

I have one synodontis decorus and one cuckoo catfish.Both are always out swimming.Will try to get some pics when the light comes on in a few hours.
It's really easy to get them here.

PM sent.

 

[Labenator65000]

I have read and heard that Sydontis and Upside Down Catfish are both tough enough to hang with Malawis, so those are a safe bet.
There were mixed opinions on the Rainbow Shark and even Plecos. All are still juveniles at this point. I will post back if there are any issues. Really so far I have no aggressiveness-based casualties. The Johanni mildly picks on every other fish except the Rainbow Shark. Maybe they don't know what to think of it since it is albino.

 

[DESE]

I have had a Rainbow Shark with roughly 13 malawi's in a 55gallon for about a year. They never even bothered with him. The dominant male even allowed him in his area/castle he had taken over.

 

[Labenator65000]

That is exactly what I wanted to hear. Thanks!

 

[mattrox]

Rainbow sharks close cousins Labeo cylindricus like in Lake Malawi, if that helps

 

[Bl80]

I've had one in my adult mbuna tank for over a year.... Got him with no tail.... It's grown back nice and they leave him alone.