How to Take Care of a Red Tailed Shark

Red-tailed sharks (Epalzeorhynchos bicolour) belong to the minnow and carp family. These fish are well-suited to freshwater aquariums. Reaching a length of up 6 inches, red-tailed sharks must be housed in a 30-gallon or larger tank. Red-tailed sharks can be aggressive both to each other and to similar-looking species. For this reason, take care when adding this species to your tank or choosing tank mates for it. Otherwise, they have much the same requirements as most tropical freshwater aquarium fish. Given the right habitat and care, an individual may live for 15 years or more.

Things You'll Need

  • 30-gallon or larger established freshwater tank with light, heater and filter
  • Gravel
  • Aquatic plants
  • Pellet food
  • Live food
  • Gravel cleaner and bucket
  • Nitrate and ammonia test kits
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Instructions

    • 1

      Prepare a suitable habitat for your red-tailed shark. This species needs a spacious tank with lighting and heating equipment. Add gravel, any decorations, such as rocks, bog wood or artificial decorations, and a filter. Red-tailed sharks appreciate hiding places. Fill the tank with dechlorinated water. Add aquatic plants after a day or so and let the tank cycle for at least 10 days, but preferably longer.

    • 2

      Adjust the heating thermostat to maintain a temperature of 72 to 79 F.

    • 3

      Introduce your shark and let it settle in for a day before feeding.

    • 4

      Feed the red-tailed shark on a sinking pellet food for omnivorous fish supplemented with live food, such as bloodworms, and occasional boiled vegetables. It will also scavenge in the tank throughout the day.

    • 5

      Conduct water changes weekly. Remove 10 percent to 25 percent of the water with a gravel cleaner, tube and bucket, and replace with fresh, dechlorinated water.

    • 6

      Perform weekly nitrate and ammonia tests. Nitrate levels should not climb above 25 parts per million and ammonia should not be detectable. If levels increase, conduct more frequent or larger water changes.