This is my first time getting an aquarium, I’ve always been interested in fish and I have finally got my own - I have a 58L tank with 4 guppies, 1 black ghost knife, 1 male fighter and 2 red tail sharks. I’ve noticed a white marking on the tip of the dorsal and anal fin, as well as the pectoral fins - is this normal? The guy I bought them off works in an aquarium shop so I assume he would have said something about any disease but he didnt say anything at all? There are also two/three splits in the dorsal fin in one of my red tails. I didn’t know much about these fish and it’s really got me worried if im doing the right thing. - one of my red tails is swimming around the centre/bottom of the tank and seems pretty normal however the one with the more white marks and splits in the dorsal fin is lingering around the surface of the tank - he was next to the other one when I placed them into the tank but then he started to hang out by the heater and now he is just around the surface by the filter and heater. I have no idea if this is normal behaviour of if I should wait to see if anything else happens? - thanks
New aquarium set up - freshwater - first time: Help!!
- Thread starter RomyD85
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- freshwater help red tail shark
Welcome aboard.
The White tip on the dorsal fin is normal, think it's normal on the other fins too but I haven't had one for a long time.
The problem you have is red tail sharks are extremely territorial/aggressive to their own kind. I reckon the normal behaving one is dominant and the other one has been beaten up and is trying to find somewhere to hide. You simply can't keep 2of these sharks in the same tank. It's a classic beginners mistake to try but I guarantee if you don't get rid of one then one will end up dead. I'd take it back to the shop and see if you can trade it for some more guppies. I'd also get a bit of PVC pipe for the knife fish to hang out in if you haven't already.
Welcome to the wonderful world of fish keeping where nothing works out as you think it will!
The White tip on the dorsal fin is normal, think it's normal on the other fins too but I haven't had one for a long time.
The problem you have is red tail sharks are extremely territorial/aggressive to their own kind. I reckon the normal behaving one is dominant and the other one has been beaten up and is trying to find somewhere to hide. You simply can't keep 2of these sharks in the same tank. It's a classic beginners mistake to try but I guarantee if you don't get rid of one then one will end up dead. I'd take it back to the shop and see if you can trade it for some more guppies. I'd also get a bit of PVC pipe for the knife fish to hang out in if you haven't already.
Welcome to the wonderful world of fish keeping where nothing works out as you think it will!
that would make sense thank you so much! i’m not sure if i had to get rid of one which one to get rid of though... tough decision - however the guy in the aquarium shop had quite a few in a tank and he didn’t seem to hesitate when i asked if two was a good idea? maybe its just a common mistake. thank you!
You will learn as many of us have that you can't trust fish shop employees. Often times they just don't have sufficient knowledge.
As you progress I would highly suggest doing some research prior to buying any new fish or equipment. Maybe sure you can provide the proper size tank, adequate temperatures and tankmates that work well with eachother.
Doing your own research and asking on here for confirmation is going to be your best bet for the most part.
As you progress I would highly suggest doing some research prior to buying any new fish or equipment. Maybe sure you can provide the proper size tank, adequate temperatures and tankmates that work well with eachother.
Doing your own research and asking on here for confirmation is going to be your best bet for the most part.
Yeah, i joined here after i thought he was a bit weird. He seemed very passive and just more in for the money rather than actual care. thank you
No worries, I'd keep the dominant one personally.
It's funny but if you have heaps of them in one tank there's too much competiton and no one fish can take over the whole tank.
Another lesson you have learned is don't always trust what the guy in the shop tells you! I don't want to be cynical but always remember it's their job to sell fish and sometimes that's all they care about. As you get more experience you will be able to tell the good from the bad. Never be shy about asking for advice here though, I haven't been a member for long but some of the people here are true experts.
It's funny but if you have heaps of them in one tank there's too much competiton and no one fish can take over the whole tank.
Another lesson you have learned is don't always trust what the guy in the shop tells you! I don't want to be cynical but always remember it's their job to sell fish and sometimes that's all they care about. As you get more experience you will be able to tell the good from the bad. Never be shy about asking for advice here though, I haven't been a member for long but some of the people here are true experts.
