Red Tail Shark Food
- Meat and Veggies. They are omnivorous scavengers, meaning they will eat both meat and plant matter, including that which has fallen to the bottom of the tank.
- Varied and Clean Diet. Because they’re omnivores, it’s also wise to keep their diet varied. ...
- Don’t Overdo the Meat. The red tail shark’s diet should also be supplemented with meat. Frozen foods, like brine shrimp, blood worms, and frozen daphnia, make for great treats.
What do red tail sharks eat in captivity?
You have a lot of options when it comes to Red Tail Shark food. These fish are omnivores and are not picky about what they eat! In their natural habitat, they eat plants, insects, and various crustaceans. Obviously it’s hard to replicate their normal diet in captivity, but it’s not that hard to come close!
How do you take care of a red tail shark?
Until then, do your best to feed your Red Tail Shark great food and provide them with a top-notch habitat. Be consistent about monitoring parameters and doing partial water changes (this is the most common cause of illness). Author Note: You should also spend a few minutes each day inspecting your fish.
What size tank does a red tail shark need?
A proper red tail shark tank size will be at least 53 gallons for one fish. Multiple red tail sharks will require a larger tank, so be sure to allocate at least one meter in tank length per shark.
Can red tailed sharks eat zucchini?
Red Tailed Sharks will appreciate the occasional slice of cucumber, zucchini, or frozen vegetables included in their diet. Place the vegetable directly in the tank and remove a couple of hours later if your fish haven’t eaten all of it.
What vegetables do Red Tail Sharks eat?
Red tail sharks are omnivores and eat mostly plants and organic matter. They love to feed on algae, which is great for the cleanliness of your fish tank. They also love to eat shelled peas, blanched zucchini, and blanched cucumber too.
How do you take care of a red tailed shark?
Live food can make the red tail shark's coloration more vibrant. Ideal live and frozen foods are bloodworms, daphnia, and brine shrimp. Feed the red tail shark once every couple of days, ideally between dusk and dawn. Food that sinks to the bottom of the tank, like sinking pellets, is best for red tail sharks.
Do Red Tail Sharks eat flakes?
In the wild, red tail sharks primarily feed on plant matter, but also eat worms, crustaceans and small insects. In the home aquarium, they should be offered a high quality plant based flake or pellet food, along with a normal high quality flake food.
Do Red Tail Sharks need real plants?
Live plants are a great addition to the aquarium, and Red Tail Sharks don't eat plants. They may eat some algae on rocks and glass, but they will leave plants unharmed.
Do Red Tail Sharks like light?
Medium to low light. Red Tail Sharks are nocturnal, so if you want to observe them during day hours, it is best to keep the tank on the darker side, or use plenty of plants that provide dense shade to the substrate region.
How long does it take for a red tail shark to reach full size?
Shark Size and Lifespan Red tails average between 5 and 6 inches from snout-to-tail when mature. Juveniles are sold at around 3 inches in length and reach their adult size in about a year. Red tails typically live for 4 to 6 years in captivity with proper care.
Do Red Tail Sharks eat cucumber?
What do Red tail sharks eat? Red tail shark feeds on plants such as peas, cucumber, and zucchini. Meat such as bloodworms, brine shrimps, daphnia, krill, and insects. Moreover, in wild, they eat algae, plankton, insects, and dead organic matter.
Do Red Tail Sharks eat pellets?
In their natural habitat, they eat plants, insects, and various crustaceans. Obviously it's hard to replicate their normal diet in captivity, but it's not that hard to come close! Most owners feed this species flakes or pellets as the primary source of nutrition.
What should I feed my shark?
Most sharks are omnivorous in captivity and will thrive on a varied diet that includes Aqueon Tropical Flakes, Color Flakes, Spirulina Flakes, Tropical Granules, Algae Rounds, Bottom Feeder Tablets and Shrimp Pellets. Frozen and live foods can also be fed as treats to improve growth and color.
Why is my Red Tail Shark swimming upside down?
The impaired buoyancy in fish is caused by a malfunction of their swim bladder. When affected by Swim Bladder Disorder fish will often lose the ability to properly swim. They will float uncontrollably to the top of the aquarium, turned upside down, while still being alive.
How can you tell if a Red Tail Shark is male or female?
The sex of Red Tailed Sharks is difficult to determine. Females tend to be slightly larger than males and their stomach can be more of a grey rather than black colour. The stomach area of female fish will also tend to be more rounded during spawning season due to developing eggs.
How do you tell the difference between a male and female red fin shark?
The male has a black outline along its red anal fin, which the female does not. Both sharks need to be at least 4 inches long to ensure sexual maturity.
Can you put a Red Tail Shark in a 10 gallon tank?
If a red tailed shark is in a 10 gallon tank it's growth rate will be extremely effected. It will still grow, but at a much, much slower rate than it would in a proper environment. If living in such a small area, the red tails will be in a constant state of stress and may become ill. Their life spans can be shortened.
Do Red Tail Shark jump out of tank?
Not only do the redtail sharks themselves jump, but they may trigger other tank mates to do so, all in the effort to get away from them. Remember that their tail fins become a duller red when they are stressed or when something is wrong.
What fish can you keep with Red Tail Shark?
Livebearers like mollies, platies, and swordtails are one of the best fish tank mates to keep with a red-tailed shark. When it comes to invertebrates, freshwater snails can be successfully kept with red-tailed sharks at both a small and an adult size. You can also mix most of the tank mates.
Why is my Red Tail Shark swimming upside down?
The impaired buoyancy in fish is caused by a malfunction of their swim bladder. When affected by Swim Bladder Disorder fish will often lose the ability to properly swim. They will float uncontrollably to the top of the aquarium, turned upside down, while still being alive.
What do red tail sharks eat?
They are also known for being a scavenger and as a result will eat most things you put into the aquarium including flakes, pellets, live and frozen foods.
How many sharks can you keep in a red tail tank?
Make sure you have a large aquarium; for each Red Tail you add, you need to add a minimum of 1 meter to the tank. You will also need to keep at least five sharks at once.
What is the color of a red tail shark?
Red Tail Shark Appearance. The Epalzeorhynchos Bicolor is a standout in any freshwater aquarium, with a deep black body offset with a red forked tail. It’s their dorsal fin that is similar in appearance to a shark, which is where its name comes from. Their body is long and slim with flattened sides and a curved back.
How many gallons of water do you need to keep an Epalzeorhynchos bicolor
During feeding time you will notice them bullying other fish if you feed them too closely together. In a very large tank (200+ gallons) with large number of hide-places it’s possible to keep several Epalzeorhynchos bicolor species, however each fish will require at least 1 meter of the tank length.
What is the difference between a male and female red tail shark?
Red Tail Shark Breeding. 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. If you’re planning to breed them in your home aquarium we have some bad news.
What is the difference between a red tail and a rainbow shark?
Whilst they do both belong to the Cyprinidae family, they are in fact separate breeds. In addition to the red tail, the Rainbow Shark also has red fins.
Where do red tail black sharks live?
As previously mentioned the Red Tail Black Shark is native to the freshwater algae ponds of Thailand. During rainy season they will inhabit the bottom lands, streams and forest area. It is a very active fish that will spend the majority of its time “busy”.
Overview
Thailand is home to the Red Tail Shark (Epalzeorhynchos bicolor), a freshwater fish. The Red-Tailed Shark, Red-Tailed Black Shark, Fire Tail Shark, and Red Rail Shark Minnow are some of the other names given to it.
Appearance
The Red Tail Shark has a rather basic appearance. There are only two colors to mention in terms of color (black and red), and their bodies have a characteristic shark-like aspect.
Size of a Red Tail Shark
When fully mature, the average Red Tail Shark is between 4 and 6 inches long. This is presumptively based on proper care and genetic conditions.
Care
Many aquarists have misconceptions about Red Tail Shark care. They’ve heard that these fish can be violent in certain conditions (which can be avoided) and assume they’re difficult to care for.
Guideline for Food and Diet
When it comes to Red Tail Shark food, you have a number of possibilities. These fish are omnivores, meaning they don’t care what they eat!
Temperament & Behaviour
Red Tail Sharks are a fast-moving species that are fascinating to watch. They’ll frequently be seen swimming towards the tank’s bottom while darting away to study other locations that pique their attention.
Red Tail Shark Tank Mates
Because Red Tail Sharks have the potential to be aggressive, it’s critical that you choose the correct tank mates for them.
What temperature should a red tail shark be?
The ideal temperature for the red tail shark is around 72 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Water pH should be about 6 to 8, with water hardness from 5 to 15 dH. Because the red tail shark originally came from rivers, water flow should be fast to recreate the quick pace of rivers.
What is the color of a red tail shark?
It has amazing coloration, with the sharp contrast of a mostly velvet-black body matched to a bright red tail.
How to tell the difference between a rainbow shark and a red tail shark?
Here’s how to tell them apart. Both species have red colorations, but the rainbow shark has red coloration on all of its fins. The red tail shark only has a red tail, with the rest of its fins colored black. The red tail shark will always have a black body. The rainbow shark also has a black body, but it’s more iridescent than the velvet-black ...
What shark has a black body?
The red tail shark will always have a black body. The rainbow shark also has a black body, but it’s more iridescent than the velvet-black of the red tail shark. The rainbow also has an albino variety, with a white body.
How big do red tail sharks get?
Size and Growth. The usual red tail shark size is about six inches for fully-grown adults. However, they can grow to larger sizes, as much as seven to eight inches in length. Red tail sharks often live around five to six years in an aquarium. Of course, like with most fish, they can live longer with exceptional care.
Why are red tail sharks so aggressive?
Because of the red tail shark’s aggressiveness, the size of their tank becomes even more critical. The more room they have to swim around, the less they will want to chase and stress out other fish.
Where do red tail sharks come from?
The red tail shark comes from the rivers of Thailand and has been found as far as Bangkok. At present, there is only one known population of red tail sharks in the wild, in the Chao Phraya basin.
Why are red tail sharks not picky eaters?
Because Red Tail Sharks aren’t picky eaters, it’s important to make sure you’re not overfeeding them. If they can’t eat what you gave them in a couple of minutes you’re probably giving them too much food. Also, keep an eye on how much food is actually being eaten and how much is falling to the substrate.
How big of a tank do red tail sharks need?
Tank Size. The recommended tank size for Red Tail Sharks is 55 gallons. Even though these fish aren’t massive, they’re quite active and need a good amount of room to swim. This space also comes in handy for reducing the possibility of aggressive behavior.
What does a red tail black shark look like?
The Red Tail Black Shark has a long and thin body that’s shaped very much like a torpedo. 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.
How long do red tail sharks live?
The average Red Tail Shark lifespan is between 5 and 8 years. While there’s always an element of randomness to this, there are some things you can do to ensure that they live as long as possible.
What is the best substrate for a red tail shark?
It’s easy to go overboard when decorating a tank! Author Note: The ideal substrate for Red Tail Sharks is moderately-sized gravel or pebbles. Red Tail Sharks are bottom-dwellers for the most part, so getting the substrate right is very important.
What is a red tail shark?
Red Tail Sharks are an eye-catching freshwater fish that we’ve been drawn to for quite a while. Their simple yet striking appearance is something you don’t often see in other species.
Where is the Red Tail Shark found?
Species Summary. The Red Tail Shark ( Epalzeorhynchos bicolor) is a freshwater fish that is found in Thailand. It is often referred to by other names like the Red-Tailed Shark, Red-Tailed Black Shark, Fire Tail Shark, and Red Rail Shark Minnow. The origin of these names are rather obvious when you see one. The majority of their body is black ...
What is the best tankmate for a red tail shark?
The best tankmates for the Red Tail Shark are large-bodied, quick and swim in the mid- to upper levels of the water column. My Zebra Danios and White Cloud Mountain Minnows managed to do well enough, and here are a few more suggestions.
How long do red tail sharks live?
Known for its large black body and vivid red tail, the Red Tail Black Shark can grow up to 6 inches in length. A lifespan of 6–10 years is common, but rare reports have stated a few living up to 18 years.
Why is it impossible to breed red tail sharks?
Breeding Red Tail Sharks in the home aquarium is close to impossible because of their aggressive nature toward each other. The process starts when the female swells with eggs, becoming more rounded than males. A week before spawning, a spawning tube appears on the male.
What color are albino sharks?
The albino Rainbow Shark has a pale white body with orange to red fins. Better known for eating algae. True to bottom feeder nature, Rainbow Sharks will clean plants and rocks of algae quicker than their Red Tail counterparts. They like the water to be a little warmer.
Where do red tail black sharks live?
They are native to Thailand, but because of excessive poaching they are thought to be extinct in the wild. They survive in greater numbers in the aquarium trade.
Is it hard to care for a red tail black shark?
Caring for Red Tail Black Sharks (also known as simply “Red Tail Sharks”) isn’t difficult, but things get a little touchy when it comes to tankmates. If my own Red Tail Shark is any example, these fish are capable of chasing other tankmates to death.
Can you have a red tail shark in a community tank?
Yes, these fish are aggressive and territorial with tankmates. Choose semi-aggressive fish to go in a community tank that contains a Red Tail Shark. ADVERTISEMENT. Also, be prepared to provide plenty of hiding places for other fish to hide. Driftwood, artificial caves and plants will serve to break up the line of sight of the Red Tail Shark.
What color are red tail sharks?
The Red Tail Shark from a color standpoint, there are only two colors to mention black & red. They also have a classic shark-like appearance. The majority of their body is completely black with no deviation or pattering anywhere even on the fins. But that all changes when you get to the caudal fin.
What is the best color for a squid?
Because of their attractive appearance, this fish has gotten a lot of interest from many aquarists across the world. If you place them in the right habitat they are actually fairly easy to care for and can be low-maintenance. Moderate. Semi-aggressive. Black, Red.
How big of a tank do red tail sharks need?
Red Tail Sharks do best in large tanks. A single juvenile Red Tail Shark can be housed in a 30-gallon tank, and adult Red Tail Sharks prefer 55-gallon tanks. If you want more than one Red Tail Shark, you’ll need either an especially large tank or tank partitions to prevent territorial disputes.
What is the best fish to have in a freshwater aquarium?
Red tail sharks are among the most striking freshwater aquarium fish you can find. They’re bright and beautiful, active swimmers, and stand out in almost any tank. Like any fish, they do have some care requirements and behaviors you should know before introducing them to your home tank.
What temperature should a red tail shark tank be?
A tropical freshwater fish, they thrive best in tanks between 72-79 degrees Fahrenheit. PH should hand somewhere between 6.8 and 7.5. You should also monitor your tank hardness if you want to keep Red Tail Sharks, especially if you live somewhere you know has especially hard or especially soft water.
What does fish fungus look like on a red tail shark?
Lastly, fish fungus can also affect your Red Tailed Sharks. This fungus usually looks like gray or white cottony growths on the body and more rarely on the fins. Anti-fungal tank treatments usually take care of the problem.
Why do red tail sharks jump out of tanks?
Red Tail Sharks are also somewhat prone to jumping out of tanks. They jump when excited, when looking for food, and sometimes as a result of territorial disputes.
What is a red tail shark?
The Red Tail Shark is a member of the carp family, needs a high-quality diet, and prefers its own space.
What is the name of the fish with red tails?
Red Tail Sharks are well named. They have bright red tails with dark back bodies. There are some other fish (like Rainbow Shark) that look similar to Red Tail Sharks with red fins in addition to the red tails, but these aren’t the same fish.
Red Tail Shark Facts & Overview
Appearance & Behavior
Red Tail Shark Care & Tank Requirements
- Red tail sharks are hardy but aggressive and are moderately difficult to care for. In the pet trade, red tail sharks are captive bred. However, replicating elements of the red tail shark’s natural habitat helps the fish feel happy, secure, and comfortable. Feed red tail sharks live or frozen foods, such as bloodworms and daphnia, to enhance coloration.
Tank Mates
- The red tail shark is semi-aggressive and requires boisterous, top-dwelling, medium-sized tank mates that can match the shark’s hot temper. Red tail sharks are solitary fish, and shouldn’t be housed together unless the tank is spacious enough for each red tail shark to have its own territory. These species make great tank mates for red tail sharks: 1. Bala sharks 2. Barbs (tinfoil…
Diet and Feeding
- These fish are omnivores and enjoy scavenging for food. The fish have a down-turned mouth which they use to scrape algae from rocks. In the wild, a red tail shark’s diet consists of insects, crustaceans, plant matter, and worms. Red tail sharks should be fed a varied diet of pellets, live or frozen foods, and vegetables like zucchini and blanched p...
Breeding
- Red tail sharks are egg layers. Breeding red tail sharks in a home tank setup is virtually impossible because the fish is aggressive toward others of its kind. Red tail sharks available in the pet trade are bred in commercial farms, where hormones are used to encourage breeding.
Should You Get A Red Tail Shark For Your Aquarium?
- The red tail shark is a robust and lively fish with a fierce personality. Red tail sharks are moderately difficult to care for and need at least a 55-gallon tank or bigger. You should get a red tail shark if you have a large enough tank with caves and plants for the red tail shark to retreat to, but with enough open space for the fish to roam freely. Red tail sharks aren’t suitable in commu…
Species Overview
Appearance
Size
Red Tail Shark Care
What Do Red Tail Sharks Eat?
- First, you need to understand what Red Tail Sharks eat in the wild to help you tailor your feeding program according to their dietary needs. Wherever they go, these fish are natural omnivores that won’t be selective regarding food choices. Red Tail Sharks are fond of eating insects, small crustaceans, and plants in their natural habitat. It is neve...
Behavior & Temperament
Red Tail Shark Tank Mates
Breeding
Final Thoughts
Overview
Appearance
Size of A Red Tail Shark
Care
Guideline For Food and Diet
- When it comes to Red Tail Shark food, you have a number of possibilities. These fish are omnivores, meaning they don’t care what they eat! They eat plants, insects, and crustaceans in their natural habitat. Obviously, it’s difficult to recreate their natural diet in captivity, but it’s not impossible! As a primary source of nutrition, most owners f...
Temperament & Behaviour
Red Tail Shark Tank Mates
Breeding
Conclusion