There are a lot of different kinds of colored fish for sale in tank shops, but nothing is as fascinating as the red-tail shark. Many people love these striking black and red tailed fish, but not much is known about their aquarium care.
Keep reading to learn everything about redtail sharks and maintaining this shark in your aquarium!
Explanation Of What A Red Tailed Shark Is
The red-tail shark, also called a red tailed black shark or a red tail shark, is a breed of shark known for being violent. They are aggressive toward similar fishes, especially co-specific tank mates. Strangely, the red-tail freshwater fish is not a shark, but it is called one because of the shape of its dorsal fin.
Characteristics Of Red Tailed Shark
Red tailed sharks are freshwater fish that belong to the Cyprinidae family. As a result of their distinctive look and energetic temperament, they are frequently kept as pets in aquariums. Here are a few characteristics of red tailed sharks:
  Physical Description
Red tailed sharks look different from other sharks, making them easy to spot. They have a dark black body and a bright red tail, which is how they got their name. The tips of their fins are white, while the rest are black. The body is elongated, lean, and only somewhat flattened laterally, and it has a pointed snout and pointy teeth. The dorsal fin is tall and conical, while the anal fin is shorter and rounder.
  Behavior And Temperament
Red tailed sharks are known for being protective and aggressive towards their own species, especially males. They are also known to be hostile toward other species of fish that live in the same environment, such as loaches or catfish. They are aggressive swimmers who spend much of their time towards the bottom of the tank, either looking for food or guarding the area they claimed.
  Habitat And Diet
Red tailed sharks live in clean, slow-moving rivers and streams with stony or sandy bottoms in Thailand. They must be kept in an environment similar to their natural habitat, with plenty of places to hide, like caves, rocks, or driftwood. They must also be in well-oxygenated water and have access to a strong current. Red tailed sharks are omnivores and eat flakes, pellets, and tiny live or frozen prey like bloodworms or brine shrimp.
Aquarium Setup And Care
  Tank Size And Requirements
When kept in captivity, red tailed sharks need a tank of at least 55 gallons (208 liters) in volume to have sufficient room for swimming and displaying territorial behavior. Rocks, caverns, and driftwood should be used to make a natural-looking aquarium. You should use a sand or fine gravel substrate to imitate their native environment.
  Water Quality And Temperature
Red tailed sharks need clean, fresh water with a pH between 6.5 and 7.5 and a temperature between 72 and 79 degrees Fahrenheit (22-26 degrees Celsius). You should change 25% of the water weekly to keep the water quality high.
  Feeding And Maintenance
Red tailed sharks are omnivores and should be given a diversified diet of high-quality pellets, flakes, and frozen or live items. In order to maintain a clean and healthy environment for the fish in the aquarium, routine maintenance tasks like cleaning the filter and changing the water should be carried out.
Breeding And Reproduction
  Mating Habits
Red tailed sharks lay eggs, fertilizing the eggs by sperm from another shark. During breeding, the male chases the female and bites her fins to get her to lay eggs. The female will put her eggs in a quiet place, like a cave or under a rock, and the male will fertilize them. After fertilization, it takes around two to three days for the eggs to hatch and about five to seven days for the fry to become free-swimming.
  Care For Young
Red tailed shark fry is initially very little and fragile; thus, they should be fed with small items that are high in nutrition, such as freshly hatched brine shrimp or flakes that have been finely crushed. They must be kept in a separate tank to prevent other fish from eating or disturbing them. When the fry has reached a certain size, it can be transferred into larger tanks with other fish suitable for their environment.
Common Health Issues And Treatments
Like all other fish species, red tailed sharks are subject to various illnesses and health issues. In addition to ich and fungal diseases, fin rot is a prevalent condition that affects red tailed sharks. These disorders may be brought on by a compromised immune system, which may be the result of stress or poor water quality.
Maintaining high water quality and feeding the sharks a balanced diet is the most effective method for protecting red tailed sharks against illness. If a red tailed shark gets sick, there are different treatment methods. Antibiotics, antifungal agents, and parasiticides are only a few of the medications that may be utilized in the treatment of many ailments.
FAQs
What Is A Red tailed Shark?
A red tailed shark is a famous pond fish that is native to Thailand. This fish is frequently kept in home aquariums as an ornamental species due to its tiny size but high activity level. The fish has a unique appearance with a sleek black body and a brilliant red tail fin, which is where its name comes from.
What Is The Scientific Name Of Red tailed Sharks?
Its scientific name is epalzeorhynchos bicolor.
What Is The Lifespan Of A Red tailed Shark?
Red tailed sharks can live for 6–8 years in a well-kept tank.
How Big Do Red tailed Sharks Grow?
Red tailed sharks can grow up to 6 inches (15 cm) long, but in home tanks, they usually only get to be 4 to 5 inches (10 to 13 cm) long on average.
Can Red tailed Sharks Be Kept In A Community Tank?
Red tailed sharks can live in a shared tank with other fish, but it’s essential to be careful when choosing their tank friends.
Conclusion
Red Tail Sharks are intriguing fish that, provided the proper circumstances are met in the aquarium, can be maintained with only moderate effort.
If you avoid unsuitable tank mates and give your Red tailed Black Shark adequate space and decorations, it will live a long, healthy life in your home aquarium.
