a Dangerous Swordtail!

[roulfi004]

I have a rather peaceful community tank, with 8 tiger barbs, 2 silver barbs and dollars, 2 platies, 1 swordtail, 1 betta

I introduced a new fish yesterday, an Albino Red-tail shark. which is about 2.5 inches long.

Strangely, as soon as i put it in there, the 2 inches Swordtail spotted the poor fish, and charged! For a while i was watching and hoping for things to settle but they did not. When the shark hides, the swordtail just goes around looking for it, and follows it with aggressive pecks.

I had to remove the swordtail to another tank, and leave the shark to accommodate itself, hoping when i reintroduce the swordtail, it would be less territorial and will stop charging on the poor thing.

This seemed strange since i was afraid the shark would be aggressive towards my other fish. :confused:

Any thoughts anyone? Should I just return the Shark to the pet store? Or will they accept living together?

[Drumachine09]

I have a rather peaceful community tank, with 8 tiger barbs, 2 silver barbs and dollars, 2 platies, 1 swordtail, 1 betta

I introduced a new fish yesterday, an Albino Red-tail shark. which is about 2.5 inches long.

Strangely, as soon as i put it in there, the 2 inches Swordtail spotted the poor fish, and charged! For a while i was watching and hoping for things to settle but they did not. When the shark hides, the swordtail just goes around looking for it, and follows it with aggressive pecks.

I had to remove the swordtail to another tank, and leave the shark to accommodate itself, hoping when i reintroduce the swordtail, it would be less territorial and will stop charging on the poor thing.

This seemed strange since i was afraid the shark would be aggressive towards my other fish. :confused:

Any thoughts anyone? Should I just return the Shark to the pet store? Or will they accept living together?


You need to understand that rts are agressive. If swordtails see them as a threat, the will pick on him. I dont really recommend RTS for anyone, but they work in some instances.

Get rid of the shark, or how big is your tank?

[cocoa_pleco]

the shark is territorial. These sharks get big. as long as you have the proper sized tank now or can get a bigger one right exactly when hes big, i'd say sell him

[roulfi004]

As recommended, i returned the RTS to the store. Although It is a beautiful fish.

[Drumachine09]

As recommended, i returned the RTS to the store. Although It is a beautiful fish.


Yup, but theyre just too agressive for a peacefulish community. The funny thing is, they are actually minnows, but they sure think they are sharks.