Shark Compatibility?

Question

Can you mix rainbow sharks (red-finned) with gold sharks (albino red-finned)? I wanted to mix 3 sharks, Bala Sharks grow too big for my 30G.

Answer 1

First, are you sure it's a gold shark, and not an albino rainbow shark? The albino rainbow sharks are albino, and have the red-ish orange fins, just like a rainbow shark. I've had both together in a 55 gallon tank, and they faught horribly. It was cool to watch them fight, but it made everyone in my tank agressive, and I felt sorry for the new addition. So I finally gave the aggressor away to my mom, and they've both been okay since.

I was told you can't put 2 sharks together like that, since they are considered semi agressive and are very territorial. If they are anything alike, (like rainbow and albino rainbows) they will fight. I know balas are schoolers and prefer to be with more of their own kind, so I don't think the same goes for them. And, yes, they do get huge (eventually) so that wouldn't do for a 30 gallon.

The best I can give you, is try a shark-looking fish. Or try something totally different, like a goby or catfish. I can't say anything about any other kinds of sharks though, sorry.

good luck with it!
;o)

Answer 2

There is no such thing as a gold shark. There are albino red-finned sharks, they are a colour morph, not a seperate species, and as such have the same temperment as is found in the standard variety.
What are sold as "rainbow" sharks at stores are actually Labeo Frenatus (ruby shark) and Labeo Erythrurus (red-finned shark). They are extremely similar in colour and shape, but vary in temperment. The red-finned has a more brownish coloured body, whereas the ruby has a grey-black appearance. This is nearly the only way to distinguish the two visually.
The ruby is more docile, and while active in a tank they have no known aggression issues toward each other or fellow tank mates.
The red-finned is considered a community fish and may be kept with others in a tank, but is more known to demonstrate anti-social behaviour and would do better without another of the same species and in a tank of fish who are more active and able to hold their own should one of these become nippy.
There are also Lebeo Bicolor (red-tailed black shark) and Leptobarbus Hoeveni (maroon shark).
The red-tailed black does well with most community tanks, and with other sharks not it's own species, but gets territorial toward it's own kind as it grows. You mentioned Bala sharks being too large for your tank, so avoid the maroon, as he gets half again larger than the Bala. Maroons, however, are the most social of the sharks, and do best in large communities of similar sized fish.
The most important thing is not to overcrowd the fish. Even territorial fish will do just fine provided there is enough space for them to set up their own territories within the tank. From the sound of it, you should probably look for the ruby and albino ruby sharks, and maybe one red-tailed black, but avoid the red-finned!
Best of luck!

Answer 3

Rainbow Sharks are the same kind of fish as the Albinos, they just have a mutation that breeders exploit. They will show aggression towards each other, so if you do attempt it, make sure there are plenty of hiding places. Good call, Balas get way too big for your 30 gallon... Email me at [e-mail] if you have any questions.

Just read another poor post. Gobies are brackish fish that will not survive in a freshwater tank. Research any fish you are going to buy before getting them. Another post was correct, solo or large groups are the best options, you might not want to get the Sharks in the end. Try 5 Yo-yo Loaches (4 inches of fun and energy. Not to be confused with the foot long Clown Loach) with some other peaceful fish like Tetras or Killifish. Good luck!

Nosoop4u

Answer 4

Yes and no. You can safely mix 3 rainbows (albino and regular) babies/adolescents in a 30 gallon. The 1-2 inch fish you would be buying are very young. They do better in larger groups or solo. But once they start growing, 30 gallons will not be enough room for 3 of these VERY territorial fish. Do you plan to have other fish with them? They get to be at least 5"-6" so if you're planning a species only tank they really need at least a 55 gallon. Your best bet for safety in a 30 gallon is to just have 1.

They are beautiful fish though, just give them plenty of space and lots of hiding places.

Answer 5

you could probably get the albino ones because there the same kind but are different colors you could probably get a red finned rainbow shark and a albino red finned rainbow shark and a red tailed shark should be good for your size of tank start of with only 2 though

Answer 6

I put one of each in my mixed tropical tank on Sunday. No problems yet. So far neither seem to pay attention to much of anything. But I have put lots of things together that they keep telling me not to.

The cat fish sharks that are supposed to get bigger than the bala sharks are in with fancy goldfish. I have not had any problems with any aggression out of any of the "sharks" And now the red fins, Gouramis in with the sharks a spotted catfish, pleco, upside down catfish, long finned and tiger danios in that tank.

In another tank I have 2 blood parrots with 3 silver dollars and five fancy guppies.

Answer 7

The two types of sharks are the same, just different color morphs. It is recommended though to keep them in either a group of one or at least 6. They are aggressive and intolerant of their own kind unless there are minimum 6 and hopefully more. Because of that, normal recommendations would be to keep just 1.

Answer 8

I have kept red tailed black sharks, and i currently have one that is approaching 2 years old now. It is of a nice size and is kept with plenty of other fish in a 100g tank. I have never seen it attack any other fish or act in a particularly teritorial way. I think you should be fine with putting it with a Raphael. Michael.

Answer 9

i would never mix different breeds of sharks together. they become very terrotorial with each other. bala sharks are the only sharks that you will find you can have together.

Answer 10

I think 3 sharks would be too much to handle...just one pretty much takes up all my time....