Considering a Rainbow Shark

[elliott_001]

I am considering getting a single rainbow shark. I have heard they are agressive in groups under 6.

Although Ive seen a single rainbow in a tank with some silver dollar at a [acronym:3c1bf49300="Local Fish Store"]lfs[/acronym:3c1bf49300], it seemed to be fairly aggressive towards them too. Ive also heard that they can have very different personalities, so some may be quite peaceful and others may not be so nice!?

I really want to have a single shark in my tank, i like the look of the rainbow shark and i figured a rainbow is about my only chance of having a shark, as the bala's and red tailed sharks get too big.

Any thoughts or suggestions? [acronym:3c1bf49300="Thanks in Advance"]TIA[/acronym:3c1bf49300]

Red tail sharks are more aggressive than rainbow sharks but rainbow sharks get up to 6-7 inches long and red tails stay a few inches smaller. You could get either a rainbow or a red tailed shark in your tank i believe. I have a full grown rainbow shark and while he does defend his territory he is pretty peaceful. I have kept him with community fish and now he is with african cichlids. One of my favorite fish ever.

[elliott_001]

Yeah, i really like the look of them, and i just think a single rainbow would be cool. I thought red tails and balas were the biggest, nvm, i still want a rainbow. How long have you had your rainbow shark? It would be cool to watch one grow from a baby size!

I have had my rainbow since I started my tank in February of this year. That was about... 11 months ago!!!

[elliott_001]

And its full grown already?

what do you mean already? when i got him he was about 3-4" and id say he's somewhere around 6-7" now and he doesn't seem to have grown for the past 6 months... im pretty sure he's ful grown. If he gets any bigger i will need a bigger tank!!

[elliott_001]

I was just suprised! I would have thought they were slower growing. I was thinking you would have got it smaller, like 2" or something, thats the size i tend to see at the [acronym:5d6e5e710e="Local Fish Store"]lfs[/acronym:5d6e5e710e].

mine grew pretty fast, they aren't slow growing like clown loaches... but if you get one make sure he has a nice cave because they like the shade and will claim a cave as their "territory".

[elliott_001]

Yeah, i'm definatley gonna get one, at least i can't see any reasons why i couldnt have one. I think im gonna make some alterations in my tank before i get one, i was gonna create more caves and stuff anyway.

[Lonewolfblue]

Another thought. I have a fake hollow log in my tank with the rainbow shark, and that's his turf. Sometimes he'll move to the fake sewer pipes I have in both corners, but mostly stays in the hollow log. It's about 8-9 inches long, and 4 inches or so wide, with openings on both ends and one opening on one side in about the middle. Makes a great shark hideout.