Guide to marine supplies, putting the aquarium together, cycling the aquarium water and adding fish! These very active fish need a great deal of open space for swimming, but they are also nervous and frighten easily. Introduce the males and females into the prepared tank, with a ratio of 2 males per female. Some driftwood is a good inclusion that will provide some variety and places for fish to hide. Water parameters are an element of Red Tail Shark care that you won’t have to worry much about. Red tail sharks hate be been in groups not even pairs they recommend if ur going to have 2 sharks to have a 50 gal tank and lots of hidding places so they don't fight over territory but its best to have only 1 . Because Red Tail Sharks aren’t picky eaters, it’s important to make sure you’re not overfeeding them. Only 1 Red tail per tank. Aquarium Size : Think large ponds or best left in public aquariums. The botia and the red tail are about the same size (4 - 5 inches) and they sometimes fight. This is something that a lot of people in the aquarium scene don’t realize. It easy to see why species of Acestrorhynchus are called Freshwater Barracudas. I had a red tail payara before at like 10 inches and died, ill put up a pic here in a second of it. This is in spite of the fact that the fate of the species is actually in a bit of trouble. The Red Tail Shark (Epalzeorhynchos bicolor) is a freshwater fish that is found in Thailand. They may jump, so the aquarium needs a good-fitting cover. each one. Tyler, Please do not post on old posts. Get along with many other freshwater fish species Temperature: 72°F- 78°F (22 to 26 °С) pH: 6,0-7,5 This species is very territorial and needs to have its own spot in the aquarium in order to feel comfortable. The origin of these names are rather obvious when you see one. A standard 55 is 4 ft x 1 ft x 18 inches. Bobby Sydnor These fish do get pretty big, and being from a river environment, they need a lot of swimming space and clean, well-oxygenated water. The sooner you realize that something is wrong, the better. They’re actually fairly easy to care for and can be low-maintenance if you place them in the right habitat (more on that later). Most owners feed this species flakes or pellets as the primary source of nutrition. In order to get around this, it’s recommended to have a few of them in the same tank instead of two. The fry should be fed generously, at least 3 times a day, as newly hatched freshwater barracuda are cannibalistic and may otherwise eat each other. Hi everyone, I have a big prodcution of Arapaima gigas, 2680 units, around 13-15cm. 386.295-8834 cel, LOOKING FOR ABA ABA if any one knows any store or person that has any size I'd be interested as they ship very easily because they breath fresh air, and are pretty hardy. The appearance of the Red Tail Shark is pretty straightforward. ), bacterial infections (general), and bacterial disease. Sometimes a black horizontal line develops, running from the eye to the tail spot. You can also offer them earthworms, river shrimps, aquatic insects, and other good sized invertebrates. Freshwater fish compatibility chart and characteristics of different types of fish. Uneaten food can quickly compromise the quality of the water which increases the risk of illness. The majority of their body is black except for their caudal fin, which is red. Due to the red tail shark’s smaller size, the fish will need at least a 20-gallon tank. But the plan is to get the biggest tank i can buy (used) with $1000 and build a sump for it. Because these fish eat live foods, disease can be passed to them from their foods. The slender, elongated pike-shaped body and mouth full of sharp teeth say it all. They hear how these fish can be aggressive in certain situations (which are easily avoided) and assume that they’re difficult to care for. It will eat most any foods put into the tank. The payara has long,sharp fangs that can be 4-6 inches long, giving it the nickname the vampire fish. Both are extremely preventable and even treatable. Fish that will mind their own business and spend more of their time in the upper half of the aquarium are compatible. Minimum Tank Size: 200 gal (757 L) Temperament: Large Aggressive - Predatory; Aquarium Hardiness: Difficult; Temperature: 75.0 to 82.0° F (23.9 to 27.8° C) Jungle's YouTube Channel - Freshwater, Animal-World References: Freshwater Fish and Plants, Encyclopedia Of Exotic Tropical Fishes For Freshwater Aquariums, Dr. Axelrod's Mini-Atlas of Aquarium Fishes, Keeping Freshwater Barracudas Acestrorhynchus, CACHORROS, Acestrorhyncin, Characid Species, View (9) Animal Stories on Red Tail Barracuda, View (2) Buy/Sell requests on Red Tail Barracuda. They can be kept singly or in groups of 6 or more. This fish can grow to just shy of 11 inches (27 cm) in length and is a very highly evolved fish predator. The likelihood of this happening goes down significantly if you provide them with great care and high-quality water conditions, but the possibility is always there. But that all changes when you get to the caudal fin. They also require good filtration with some current. They have not yet been successfully bred in captivity. Guide to fish care with a simple look at aquarium filtration, how to clean a fish tank, and a fish tank maintenance Schedule. This guide will teach you everything you need to know about Red Tail Shark care. They need room to roam! These fish are pretty straightforward and easy to care for as long as you know the basics. Also, keep an eye on how much food is actually being eaten and how much is falling to the substrate. Temperature: 75.0 to 82.0° F (23.9 to 27.8° C) Range ph: 6.0-8.0 ; Hardness Range: 2 - 25 dGH; Brackish: No Ian Piranhas, one of the most efficient predators with razor sharp teeth and a ferocious nature. Even though it has been verified that this fish is still around in the wild, their numbers are a fraction of what they once were. Despite its size, appearance, and behavior, however, this fish is not a true barracuda but a Characin just like the more familiar tetras, hatchetfish, and pencilfish. There are a number of streams that trickle out from this body of water where you could find this species as well. Bigger is always better. Common Names : Red Tailed Shark, Red Tail Black Shark, Red Tailed Labeo, Fire Tail, Labeo bicolor Care Level : Easy, good for freshwater beginners Size : Up to 6 inches (15 cm) pH : 6.5 - 7.5 Temperature : 73°F - 79°F (23°C - 26°C) Water Hardness : 10° to 16° dH, Lifespan : 5 - 8 years Origin / Habitat : Thailand Since they are known to be territorial (more on this later), you should make sure that juveniles have at least 29 gallons of tank size, and that adults should be placed in at least 55 + gallons. reply #7. You should also try to divide the tank to limit territorial behavior and help protect more shy tank mates. Copyright © [Animal-World] 1998-2020. In tanks tends to grow significantly smaller, but still its size is from 50 cm (20 inches) and to 100 cm (40 inches). The body is bulky and elongated. As long as you are willing to provide live fish as food, the Red Tail Barracuda makes a great aquarium pet. Here are some possible Red Tail Shark tank mates: While it’s definitely possible to keep more than one Red Tail Shark in the same aquarium, it comes with risk. Though sensitive to organic pollutants and swings in water chemistry, water quality is not usually an issue if the aquarium is well maintained. These Freshwater Barracudas will spend most of their time near the middle of their home. Red Tail Barracuda has not yet been successfully reproduced in captivity, but it may be possible! The recommended tank size for Red Tail Sharks is 55 gallons. As a matter of fact, the Red Tail Shark was assumed to be extinct as recently as 2011. Basics on breeding some of the more commonly bred tropical fish. See Breeding Freshwater Fish: Characins for a general description of breeding processes, and see Fish Food for Fry for information about types of foods for raising the young. From a color standpoint, there are only two colors to mention (black and red), and their bodies have a classic shark-like appearance. When the females are ready to reproduce, their abdomen turns fatter and more rounded; this is the only visual difference between a male and a female. They require a lot of space to thrive. There is a chance they can be trained to accept pre-killed fish, but you can't count on that. Contact me via email if interested in aquarium species ...alimohsin@asia.com. They can get territorial, and that only gets worse when they’re right on top of one another. It spends its time in freshwater river basins (the Amazon and Orinoco primarily), streams, and lakes looking for anything it can eat. Red Tail Shark. Predatory tank, payara, alligator gar, spotted gar, peacock bass, red tail catfish and stingrays - Duration: 1:36. andrewcollett1 2,014 views On their caudal tail, this red color is steady throughout. It doesn’t shift gradually either. Tetra is the common name of many small freshwater characiform fishes. Pairing should occur quickly below the surface of the water, with several eggs being shed at a time. Characin species like Ctenolucius, Mylossoma and Silver Dollars or Myloplus make good tankmates. The Red Tail Shark is a stunning freshwater fish that will undoubtedly continue to be popular in the aquarium scene for quite a while. Don’t worry, we cover all of those topics in this guide. Remove the parents from the tank once the spawning is complete, or the parents will eat the eggs. There’s not much to talk about when it comes to breeding Red Tail Sharks. They may occasionally also take pellets for carnivores, Tubifex, and chopped meat. For information about freshwater fish diseases and illnesses, see Aquarium Fish Diseases and Treatments. Author Note: These fish are often confused with Rainbow Sharks. Even though they don’t get all that large, a minimum tank size of 55 gallons is necessary to keep them in good condition. In the bigger tank you can have pretty much any pleco. They do best with company and can be kept in a small school or with other companion fish. The Red Tail Barracuda has a slender, elongated pike-shaped body and a mouth full of needle-sharp teeth that are usually visible. With that being said, if you set them up with an insufficient tank you’ll definitely have some problems. Provide a large spawning tank. Welcome! Regards, Looking for Aba Aba any size willing to pay a reasonable fee for one or two, I am very familiar with these guys and have the tank space, The eggs should hatch in about 24 hours. Red Tail Shark care is often misunderstood by many aquarists. This will prevent anything from shifting out of the recommended windows and impacting the health of your fish. The Red Tail Barracuda Acestrorhynchus falcatus is one of about 15 or so characins belonging to the genus Acestrorhynchus. 6 years ago. The average Red Tail Shark lifespan is between 5 and 8 years. Their dorsal fin begins roughly halfway back on their body and resembles the classic trait of the scary fish we’ve come to fear in movies. Some aquarists recommend including some vegetables like zucchini or cucumber for the sake of variety as well. Red Tail Behavior, Temperament and Compatibility . It typically reaches a standard length of about 30 cm (1.0 ft), but can reach up to 51 cm (1.7 ft). This can be a low aquarium, filled 3/4 full with clean, aged water, and with an initial temperature that matches their regular aquarium. Question A hypothetical question about Red Tailed Shark minimum tank sizes. Even though these fish aren’t massive, they’re quite active and need a good amount of room to swim. By the end of your boa constrictor’s third year, it will have reached maturity, which means it isabout 7 feet long or more. Fish Store Employee. We hope this guide prepared you for Red Tail Shark care and encouraged you to give this species a shot. Other common names it is known by are Spotted Cachorro, Freshwater Barracuda, Dog Characin, and Amazon Cachorro. Specifially, the courtship and spawning of the Red Tail Barracuda has been observed in the aquarium, but no fry have been successfully reared. General length of the fish reaches 1,8 m (5 ft 11 in) and it weighs 80 kg (180 lb). By the seven month mark, your boa will likely grow to about a yard or more in length and weigh about 30lbs, as long as they are on a proper feeding schedule. Don't use a tank at adult size. Because of their potential to be an aggressive fish, it’s important you choose the right tank mates for your Red Tail Shark. Color Form: Gray, Red Lifespan: 5-8 Years Size: Up to 6″ Diet: Omnivorous bottom feeders Family: Cyprinidae Minimum Tank Size: 50 Gallons Tank Set-Up: Tropical Freshwater: Rocks, Caves or Plants Compatibility: Moderate. Betta Fish Care Infographic, a handy cheat sheet that will benefit any keepers of Siamese Fighting Fish. Make sure there’s enough room to swim after adding everything. These fish are extremely difficult to breed in your typical home tank setup, and there are very few reports of success. Author Note: You should also spend a few minutes each day inspecting your fish. Until then, do your best to feed your Red Tail Shark great food and provide them with a top-notch habitat. Author Note: Although there hasn’t been any hard data that shows the aquarium industry is to blame for the drop in population, we like to treat this species with an extra amount of respect. This space also comes in handy for reducing the possibility of aggressive behavior. A good thing about the Red Tail Barracuda is that due to their resilience, an outbreak of disease can often be limited to just one or a few fishes if dealt with at an early stage. The fins are transparent, sometimes displaying an orange-gold tint. Later spawning videos show the female releasing the  eggs. The aquarium should have some dense vegetation and contain some cave-like structures, pieces of pipe or bogwood for the shark to use as its own territory. As with other Characins, covering the top with a towel will create a darkened environment to help trigger the spawn. The Angels and Red Tail Shark will be OK in a 55gal, but the Bala sharks need a tank about 6ft long, that puts you up into the 125gal+ size. This means you should include these items if you want your fish to be comfortable. Water changes of about 30 to 50% are needed every other week, depending on the bio load, to keep this fish happy and healthy. Tank Size. Red Tailed Shark Tank Mates . You boa will also weigh a… The video shows the spawn occurring in midwater with the male swimming up and around the female in a type of figure 8 pattern while she remains stationary. If you’re planning to breed them in your home aquarium we have some bad news. You’ll often see them swimming near the bottom of the tank while darting away to investigate other areas they find interesting. The fish is endemic to shallow algous ponds of Thailand with clean flowing water (for example Chao Phrya – the Mekong River tributary). One familiar species is the Freshwater Barracuda, or Hujeta Gar, Ctenolucius hujeta, a fierce predator that can reach up to 28 inches (70 cm) in length and is not usually kept in the home aquarium. Though they are not particularly aggressive, they will eat any fish small enough to fit into their large, toothy mouths. Anything you add to your tank can introduce disease. Though a bit on the nervous side, they are very interesting, active fish. If this changes and someone cracks the code we’ll expand this section. Note: Lids and lid locks are necessary due to the fact that red tail boa’s can and will try to get out of the tank on occasion. what types of food and what size tank will i need. Aquarium Cycling Guide: starting up a new aquarium the right way. To prevent this, quarantine live food before feeding. In their natural habitat, they eat plants, insects, and various crustaceans. From: Bridget I didn't know about the jumping thing, so that's a handy thing to know! The rest of their fins (excluding the caudal) are much smaller. For most fish enthusiast, a tank of this size is unrealistic hence why we advise keeping them singularly. Once free-swimming, the fry can be fed rotifers, Cyclops, or Artemia nauplii. The countries it can commonly be found in are Colombia, Brazil, Peru, Venezuela, Ecuador, Guyana, and Bolivia. This activity level is why it’s so important to give them an adequate tank size and set their habitat up properly. Due to their diet of live foods, Red Tail Barracuda put a large bio load on the aquarium, so their tank needs ample filtration. It's fine now, but RTBs are great escapers and fish tanks just don't provide the right heat and humidity. These waters are full of vegetation, wood, and rocks. Keep them in a small school of Red Tail Barracudas, or other similar-sized occupants. Members online 130 Guests online 2,016 Total visitors 2,146 . Deon Wilson - 2016-01-20 Hello,I'm very interested in these fish, I've kept all types of predator fish and I have more than enough tank space for them.I've also done tons of research on this fish.If possible please contact me or point me to an import/exporter that I … Like other Characins, this free-spawning fish produces many fry. A smaller group of 2 to 5 will lead to aggression and fighting. 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