Red tailed shark (Epalzeorhynchos bicolor) Species profile

The true Hollywood story about the red tailed shark.

[@CelestialHei]

Man I could listen to you talk about fish all day! Learned a lot, thank you!

[@three60five98]

Gosh... after so many years watching self made aquarium videos, this is the only video that doesn't have the face of the owner sticking in front of the screen 80% of the time. It is so, so refreshing. Good work Terry. You only need to eliminate the constant popping sound which is quite loud.

[@FordyTheConeSmoker]

As a young fish keeper I bought 3 RTS from my LFS at the time. Did no research as I was like 10 or so. I got lucky and these 3 were incredibly docile. Kept all 3 in a 250ltr (~66 gallons) for about 2 years before I had to move them into something bigger. They showed some signs of aggression for about a week in any new tanks I moved them into. But they all got along pretty well. Had 2 for 8 years before they passed and the last one passed at the ripe old age of 13. I love RTS they are such beautiful fish. But as you say, they have personalities. I’ve also had some RTS that you couldn’t keep with anything at all because they just wanted to see the world burn 🤣

[@fatmasglobal]

That cracked me up, the story of him living under the under gravel filter for two months.

[@pandashoots]

best perspective on this fish I've ever heard so far.. thanks!

[@Welshy1001]

My RTS is great with my shoal of 6 Cory's, and always feeds with them.. Also I have 2 Valentine catfish and a Golden Pleco that he doesn't even notice. However.... He does have a daily mental hour chasing Tiger Barbs, Tetras and Danios.. I was told some time ago, (which works 100%). If you introduce any new fish. You MUST take the RTS out of the tank for an hour, maybe into a large jug or spare tank. Then introduce the new fish while he's away. You also MUST change the decor about, to erase all his current territories. On the RTS return, he'd be too busy checking out his new surroundings to even notice the new fish. Works every time. If this isn't done, the RTS for sure, WILL chase the new fish. And relentlessly...

[@liquidrockaquatics3900]

Great advice!

[@marypaigeflynn4512]

Love your knowledge!! These are some of my favorites!! Thank you for sharing!!🌿🐟🌿👍

[@Robs346]

Nice in depth video Terry!

[@eddtv4548]

These species profile videos are awesome! You should do more

[@TerryL263]

Thanks and there will be more in the future

[@goldfishlover7997]

Everything you said about yours, goes the same way with mine ~ ha ha!!

[@Georgeolddrones]

Excellent video thanks Thanks Terry .best red tailed video I have seen George in England Uk 👍

[@rorchilles]

knowledgeable and concise the red tail shark is underappreciated and beautiful, really good job on the video, i am subscribing

[@mattramos6001]

Just got one today... very excited to watch it grow with the tank and see its' behavior after watching your video.

[@r.a.8503]

Enjoyed the great detail and info.thank u

[@TerryL263]

thanks

[@phyllisfrancis-hanson7332]

A very informational video on RTS .I truly enjoyed it🙂 I have here got one her name is Chase and you describe her personality to the Tee, she is isolated right now she got evicted from her home for bullying blue Gouramis and Large Danios and in a holding tank till her her condo is ready . I am adding two female Angelfish , before she move into her new space I read that Angels can hold their own so hopeful she will not be able to push them around.

[@MrScotFenz]

I had a tank with a silver shark & a few cherry barbs all getting along nicely, not knowing anything about sharks I got 1 of these red tailed 1s thinking it would keep the silver 1 company.......everyone like no no they will end up fighting but they got along always swimming together as though patrolling the tank. So I must have had a rare occasion when 2 got along, but I would not put 2 together now as now I know they should be kept alone... Nice Video....👍🏻

[@Vinokski.Fishkoto]

Thanks for sharing

[@mayajade6198]

I've never heard a bad story about redtails and loaches of any kind, so you saying that they can bully clown loaches kind of surprised me. I kept mine with a pair of zebra loaches and they largely ignored each other-- until one of the zebra loaches died-- after that, the shark and the remaining loach moved into the same cave and spent all their time together, foraging together and never chasing each other. When the zebra loach finally died I got a clown loach, and it was the same story. The two of them were instant best friends. It was honestly kinda weird seeing this otherwise mean and territorial fish share its cave and spend so much time with another fish, especially one that looked so similar. But I've seen a lot of people on fish forums with similar stories: their redtail sharks would pal around with clown loaches.

[@cjcichlidsbailes1346]

What he is saying is true mine bullied my glown loaches badly. I now have my redtail in with my african cichlids and have bin for a year. My cichlids won't put up with his chase games and puts him in his place

[@kjaco4206]

I had one when I was a kid. My cat fished it out of the tank and I came home to it missing. I found it dried up and half eaten under my dresser weeks later.

[@robertdavis5714]

Bought 1 about 4" long, so pretty good size. He only bothers the tiger barbs and have 2 Red Panda's, when in that mode, seems to be the orange/black, the Sevrum (smaller) no interest. Took about 10 days of hiding in cave before would come out. Appreciate the info, you got a like from me.

[@Yellowswift3]

Quite a few years ago now, I had a young but fast-growing, beautiful red-tailed shark. Its colours were bold, jet black and a vivid, striking red/orange tail (one of the healthiest looking fish I'd ever had the pleasure of keeping). Anyway, I came back after a weekend away, only to notice its disappearance when viewing the tank. Then, all of a sudden, I saw it float by in front of me - in 2 pieces! Hearing you speak about the possibility of it getting trapped in the filter made a lot of sense, since, as you say, they are curious and explorative animals. The only thing I can think of is that it swam into the filter nozzle and then was cut by the filter propeller. I don't think it could have been anything else with regard to tank mates, as it had been getting along with everything just fine; in fact, I would say I had been lucky in getting one with its aggression in check. I was very shocked and saddened by this. I just hope it was a quick death for it. :/ On a more positive note, I enjoyed listening to this video and may well keep another RTS one day. :)

[@Sunny-qu2sf]

i hope that when i get my video ready on red tail black sharks, that i am as knowledgeable as you. excellent video

[@Jstroman221]

Good video, I have a 7.5 year old rainbow shark shows no signs of slowing down. the aggression increases for sure. I keep it with tetras most zebra danios scissortail rasboras and few assorted others. When the 3rd personality switches which is more often now as hes aged he mainly chases the zebras on the bottom or any other fish near the bottom. Even if it is only chasing one fish they both dart and the smaller fish goes straight back to the bottom. They don't even care bc they are enough disperse the aggression. The charges are essentially bluff and everyone knows it. I haven't tried keepin more than one maybe someday.

[@calusfootpics]

hey, I know im a bit late but I've been thinking about setting up a tank with a RTS, 5-8 cherry barbs and either one pearl or one dwarf gourami. Would these fish cause any conflictions with each other?

[@benlim8503]

Another informative video with thorough discussion on the fish behavior. I wonder how a big school of red tailed rasboras would behave if a red tailed shark is added to their 75 gallon tank. Any thoughts Terry? Thanks for the video.

[@TerryL263]

I think you should try it and let us know. LOL I think it would be fine.

[@djs83]

I'm getting one this weekend. Will it be ok with my Roseline sharks? I have 6 Roselines in a 5ft tank. Around 145 gallons

[@wynja77]

Great video, great info, thanks! Something to think of in the future: you might need a better microphone, because there's a lot of high-pitched whistle noses, from s-sounds, that hurt my ears... ;) I had a redtail I loved ten years ago, and I want to get a new one, I'm just thinking of what else I might want in my new tank...

[@TerryL263]

just checked the mic and somehow it was turned all the way up. Thanks for letting me know.

[@michellesmith2420]

wynja77 irresident shark . They are faded looking at first and then silver and black after 24 hrs and get along with all

[@Mark-yb1sp]

My Red tail has all three personalities you said. It thinks it’s an O.G. of the tank!

[@richardmcgrath558]

Just wondering what for the other fish in tank with red and black tip on there tail

[@CrownofThornsProductions]

I kept mine at 70 and it was stressed. mid to high 70's is best temp

[@welshknight1456]

My Red tail shark disappeared for a few days, it was baffling where he was ,then he just showed up again. My tank is only 57L.

[@evos6627]

Very interesting entered the castle stayed over 1 hour the castle is large took each plant to check the roots as well plus he is not afraid of other fish. I have a 300 liter aquarium for him.

[@jro303ortega]

I have 2 rainbow sharks in a 20 gallon wide, but working on setting up a 55 gallon for them but they been fine together for about a year and they been together since they were lil and they both have there own shelter they claimed as watch of there own territory

[@randallivan7349]

What kind of fish school are you keeping with the rts? They look great together

[@TerryL263]

Their common name is filament barbs

[@mclovin9151]

You’re from Michigan?

[@franmorr1966]

What are the other fish? They are beautiful. Are they barbs of some sort?

[@shaniaa7477]

I have one red tail Two rainbow neon fish Three of some fish I can't remember the name of but they are small rn And a glofish in a 20 gallon. Is that bad?

[@pdiz]

I have an established YoYo loach tank (just four in a 40g breeder)... What do you think about introducing an RTS?

[@TerryL263]

50/50

[@wruff378]

Good lookin' shark there. Not overfed like most I see on yt. I've got a 6 yr/4" named Shark Dog. He doesn't play well with others, so is in a 30 gal by himself. He's a good dog.

[@TerryL263]

lol

[@slimsaiyan4215]

I used to have 2 of these red tail sharks with 2 bala sharks that were about 9 inches in size they never really bothered each other.

[@myksaussietales5869]

Unknowingly, dropped a rainbow shark with Red tail in the tank!! Ohh god, what a fight red tail put up to defend its cozy cave home 😅

[@TobeyNord]

i found out what happeneds when you add a Ghost rainbow shark young fish with a redtail rainbow fish. seperated the two within 1:30 min of the adult Red tail continously attacking the Ghost and going after my rose line sharks out of stress . this is a 55 gallon with 4 hiding spots and it just doesn't matter. all these rainbow related sharks are not ok with two of the same. i have my ghost in a 5 gallon till i can come up with a solution. my rainbow shark lives in his cave and he's happy. Normaly all my fish get along on a daily . I have 4 platty, 5 roseline sharks, 1 rainbow shark, 1 african frog , 4 cardinal tetras, 5 black neon Tetras.

[@Ogdt2014]

I love my red tail he/she swims so calmly through the tank lol 😂

[@jasonwoodward2904]

I got 4 red tail sharks and they seem to be fine all in a 5feet tank any advice on what kind of vegetables and fruits I need to feed them thanks

[@TerryL263]

Neat question. Just feed your other fish. Red tails take care of themselves

[@dw7271]

They definitely have a third personality lol Mine is usually pretty good, but there’s days where he’s just a pure a-hole and chases everyone around for no real reason. He doesn’t harass them to the point of killing or anything, he just chases them around if they’ll swim away from him. When they stop he stops and he will go find another fish that’ll swim away from him so he can chase lol

[@dw7271]

My rts is housed with a dozen tiger barbs, a handful of cory, a few bn plecos and some mystery snails. Surprisingly he never chases the cory or pleco, but they never swim away from him so he just ignores them

[@knyghtryder3599]

Any info on schooling behavior or breeding ? Any stories of keeping 20-30 + in a 125g??

[@TerryL263]

I have no personal experiance trying it. The only breeding I know of is in huge vats using hormones.

[@kinglyzard]

12:40 Sounds exactly like Botia behavior

[@adrianaron9639]

will red tail shark fight with siamese algae eater?

[@franmorr1966]

I love RTS’s. I have larger clown and yo-yo loaches in my 120 gallon and a juvenile RTS in in a quarantine tank. I hope because he is young and small and the loaches are large, that he will not wreak havoc on the rest as he matures.

[@BKNew2022]

How did it dig itself under the gravel to get to the filter?

[@TerryL263]

It went down the uplift tube

[@brendanswift5868]

How many can you have in one tank and is this the same as rainbow sharks

[@TerryL263]

Evidently you didn't watch the video and no it's not the same as a rainbow shark

[@waterlover]

What about a group of 4 saimese algae eaters in a 135 planted community tank. Mainly tetras and nit guppies that I rescued from my deceased cousin

[@charliedevine6869]

Mine is medium sized and very well behaved.

[@MrGrombie]

These are good videos... a shame you quit making them...

[@TerryL263]

There are more in the works.

[@scotthopkins2235]

My experience with "Sharks" is each one is its own "person". There are Angels and Deamons, sometimes you can find a sweetheart Red Tail that can be everyone's best buddy or the "Ref", or the complete A-hole. In aggression rank most to least. 1. Rainbow 2. Redtail 3. Albino Rainbow 4. Black I have tried these fish all in one tank and removed the one most picked on to another tank and the Rainbow seems to be the Aggro king. I haven't been in the hobby for decades and they might be less aggressive now. I have seen the "GLO Sharks" and they seem even less aggressive and I assume it's due to breeding Like mentioned in the video. But the safe answer is one Shark per tank so pick the color scheme you like best. I would recommend the Albino Rainbow over the Rainbow because I have never encountered an Angel Rainbow....EVER. The Black Sharks seem to be very Shy and Hide most of the time, but I have only had a few just because they aren't as flashy.

[@justinwilson3922]

Could u keep fancy goldfish like black Moore with the red tail shark

[@TerryL263]

probably

[@justinwilson3922]

@@TerryL263 ?

[@diegosandovalmiamifl8445]

This fish is really versatile, i had it first on a 54 planted tank low ph and sure enough it will chase bottom feeders. then I did a 75gal peacoks all males. so I put him with high pH no problem. so I say, ok now try to bully this guys. He put out massive size, and even though he is the smallest compare to peacoks he gets along even with a red tail botia loach twice his size. this fish has been with me for a year. you can look my videos on you tube or istagram @diegosandovalmiami this fish is with 11 massive fish for his size.

[@lewisball3952]

I keep 2 red tail sharks and a rainbow shark with my Malawi thay are all in a 6ft tank n there is still some aggression but thay live happy tbh

[@NYRIKAN]

I GOT THIS BAD BOY WITH A CRAZY OSCAR AN A GROUCHY RED DEVIL CICHLID AND HES FINE ....HOWEVER IN A BIG TANK ..HE DOES NOT GET BULLIED>

[@itsclea4973]

I named mine "Johnny Depth"

[@creatorgoddess114]

True Hollywood storie🤣🤣

[@TerryL263]

At least someone got the joke. Thanks

[@kokonutrina]

I have quite a similar tank red tailed shark, peppered corys instead of green and prestilla tetras instead of I think rasboras Me spelling is bad

[@spideywebhead2020]

I have my red tails with angle fish pleco's and cory's.1 red tail is always chasing the other red tail around my 55 gal

[@Riley095]

Each fish is an individual,just keep them with fish that look nothing like them such as angel fish and black skirt tetras

[@FridayFishFacts]

They’re absolutely beautiful. The last time I had one I returned it after two day because it constantly harassed my clown loaches until one died 😬 I would like to have one again in the right circumstance

[@TerryL263]

Sorry to hear about the loach.

[@DidisFINDen]

Glad I ran across this video. I was about to make a terrible mistake.

[@TerryL263]

And what was that ?

[@DidisFINDen]

I was thinking about adding one to my community tank, but wont now die to kuhlis, corys and dojos.

[@StanTheObserver-lo8rx]

Kept many over the decades. The best fit was my 240 gallon when I had Red Hooks and some monster 18" barbs along with 4-6" Clown Loaches. Otherwise they are not good to keep. In smaller tanks its endless nipping,chasing away of other small fish. That's the way they are and the smaller the tank,the worse they get.

[@MegaMrDiggs]

Stan TheObserver how big did yours get ?

[@enmanuel8454]

Setting up a 40 Gallon was thinking of a red tail shark with some tiger barbs or tetras. As a new fish keeper I ask around and almost everyone so far told me a 40 gallon is too small for a red tail shark :/, should I just go for it?

[@rossgooch1275]

If you can rehome it when it starts getting on the larger side go for it

[@ArtbyMagic]

No don’t. This is an aggressive dish. Tetras will try to hide. Tiger barbs can try to stick it up if you have many. But believe me this is not a good fish to keep unless you have a giant tank so that other fish can hide from it and a lot of crevices plants tunnels places to hide from his chasing. As babies they are really sweet but soon RTS becomes a bigger fish with relentless chasing that exhausts and kills your other fish. He will have an idea that tank and all food coming to it is his alone and will do anything to claim the premise.

[@Aceandthehounds]

Multiple personality fish 😂

[@SS-bp8yq]

If it was called a red tail carp it wouldn't sell! lol

[@rossgooch1275]

You say chase other fish will it attack the fish it's chasing ?

[@TerryL263]

Normally no But anything is possible

[@ArtbyMagic]

Imagine having someone in your room who is constantly coming up to your face and pinches you a little. You move to a dining room. They come after you and pinch you again. It doesn’t hurt but you don’t want to get pinched. You move to kitchen. But there is food. Now they come after you in the kitchen and take the cookies away from you. You retreat to the bathroom. Once they ate they come to the bathroom and even you are hungry and miserable they pinch you again. They keep pinching you and getting into your face until you loose all sense of self esteem. You don’t care to try to go to the kitchen because you know they will get all the food. You no longer have energy to get away from them because they are everywhere. I just explained RTS to you. No other fish can’t be with it. It’s a bully.

[@TerryL263]

@@ArtbyMagic There are plenty of fish that can go with a red tail.

[@RugaWorld1]

I have a red tail And a rainbow shark the red tail only bugs the rainbow shark when it's night time but the Molly fish are the worse ones

[@FKJ_WORLD]

hahaha story indeed

[@Rarebreedkev]

I have them together 3 red tail 3 albino rainbows and two rainbows

[@TerryL263]

let me know how it works long term

[@ArtbyMagic]

I have this fish. He lives alone with snails in a 55g. He knocks the snails around but they are giving Ghandi type of peaceful resistance. I honestly think this is epitome of a bully and I think he misses all the nice fish that once lived with him as he has all the food and no one to chase. Now who wants him? I would gladly free my 55g for nicer fish??

[@kurious2a607]

Talk to your local shop. I've seen fish at my pet's mart that obviously got to big for someone.

[@randallivan7349]

I would love him my 2 year old died just recently and would love another

[@TheDoltonboy]

Great undergravel story 😂

[@NYRIKAN]

PITCH BLACK

[@DeadPiixxel]

*God creates