Mike’s Fish Tank – Red-Tailed Black Shark

The red tailed black shark, also known as the red tail shark and labeo bicolor, is a species of freshwater fish in the carp family. It is currently critically endangered in the wild, but common in the aquaria, where it is prized for it’s deep black body and vivid red or orange tail.

The species is native to Thailand and found as far south as Bangkok. As of 2011 it is only known at a single location. From 1996 until 2011 it was believed to be extinct in the wild. However there is no evidence that collection for the aquarium trade is responsible for the species decline, and it is more likely that construction of dams and draining of swamps that took place during the 1970s was to blame.

Red tail sharks can reach a length of 6 inches but in rare cases they can reach 8 or even 9 inches depending on how they are fed.

They can live up to eight years, although in some rare cases they have lived to be over 10 years old. Typically they are aggressive chasers, but will rarely bite or harm other fish. Individual personalities vary greatly—some are calm, while others are rather aggressive towards tank
mates. They are bottom dwellers and like lots of dark hiding places. They get along with other semi-aggressive fish, but they do not like other sharks.Redtail sharks are considered compatible in some community tanks, although they may chase docile or peaceful fish that present a
large target (such as “silver dollar” fish). This may be physically harmless, but could cause a great deal of stress for the pursued fish, sometimes resulting in death due to stress. Redtails do not typically bite or injure other fish, but they will chase them and try to corner them. They will mostly chase fish away from their territory and then retreat; therefore, it is important to ensure the aquarium is large enough to  allow the redtail some space to call its territory. Redtails are bottom dwellers, so it is strongly suggested that one does not introduce them into an aquarium with another bottom dweller, as they will constantly pester and harass it. They also should not be introduced to communities containing other shark-like fish. Despite this, it is often reported that they do not generally harass loaches and may even exhibit schooling behavior with them.

Pets A Plenty is located in the Blockbuster Video Plaza, Rte 281 Cortland, 753-9213. Open 7 days a week. We now have a website. www.petsaplety.biz. check it out. I post care sheets, coupons, new animal arrivals, contests and more. Any questions, email me at friskyy@hotmail.com

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