Rainbow sharks?

[mskay]

Can I keep a rainbow shark in my freshwater community tank? I have mollies platys frogs and a pleco.

 

[DeirdreHoyle]

I had an albino rainbow shark with my pleco, mollies, barbs, and loaches. He was best buds with my yoyo loach and wasn't very aggressive. I lost him to ich, but he was an awesome fish

 

[enrgizerbunny]

Can I keep a rainbow shark in my freshwater community tank? I have mollies platys frogs and a pleco.

Nope, rainbows do better in a 48" tank, they need the room to swim, and they get territorial. Mine put a school of tiger barbs (who thought they owned the tank) in their place.

 

[Cynic]

Depends on the stocking and size of the tank.

 

[Fidgetromeo]

Mines in with some serpae tetra at the moment and he chases them out of his corner but that's all, he's not causing any real trouble

 

[threnjen]

How big is the tank? That is a very important consideration.

 

[mskay]

33 gallon.

 

[josh7]

Nope no rainbow sharks they get to big for a 33 gallon IMO they need a 48 inch tank minimum.

 

[Cynic]

Yeah, no, would be a recipe for disaster

 

[mskay]

Ok. The pet store told me they only get 4 inches and only need at least a 29 gallon tank. Which I expected was at the very least slightly false. Hence me asking here lol. My son would be super excited for a shark. It wouldn't even be ok temporarily? I plan on soon upgrading to a 55 gallon tank.

 

[Cynic]

Ok. The pet store told me they only get 4 inches and only need at least a 29 gallon tank. Which I expected was at the very least slightly false. Hence me asking here lol. My son would be super excited for a shark. It wouldn't even be ok temporarily? I plan on soon upgrading to a 55 gallon tank.

Depends how temporarily and also as long as you understand it could well go on a tank rampage with your stock.

 

[mskay]

Hmm soon however by the time I cycle it it's be a few months. Maybe I'll just wait

 

[josh7]

Just wait you will be much better off waiting and the pet store is giving you false info they get 6 inches can be aggressive and will need that 55 gallon.

 

[PAwrangler08]

I have a rainbow in my 120gal community tank. He gets along really well with everyone else. But I agree 33 is a little small for this kind of fish. Mine is about 9" now.

 

[josh7]

I have never heard of any rainbow shark reaching 9 inches pics?

 

[PAwrangler08]

I have never heard of any rainbow shark reaching 9 inches pics?

Sure thing. Give me a little I'm at work. Gotta pull them off my phone.

 

[PAwrangler08]

These are the closest ones I have that can show size.
Like I said 'about'. I'm just guessing. The pot is pretty big.

 

[josh7]

That's an impressive shark! Looks great!

 

[PAwrangler08]

That's an impressive shark! Looks great!

Thank you!!! He is one of my prize possessions in my tank

 

[OwduaNM]

There are other 'sharks' that you could put in a smaller tank. Like a red tailed black shark. I don't know their exact Requirements but I am pretty sure they don't get as large as a rainbow shark. (I did not read through your stock list so I can't comment on how it will do with your current set up)