The 15 Best Tank Mates to Pair With Red Tail Sharks

Red tail sharks (Epalzeorhynchos bicolor) have beautiful charcoal-black bodies with bright red tails. Their beauty is mesmerizing, and they sure are fun to watch in an aquarium, but you need to know a thing or two if you want to keep these fiery fish in your tank. Notably, these sharks have salty personalities and are seen chasing fishes five or six times their size. While red tail sharks may be entertaining to watch, due to their aggressive nature, be careful when selecting their tank mates.

If you are considering adding more fish to your tank, this article is for you. We’ll go over the 15 best tank mates to pair with your red tail sharks.

1. Tiger Barbs (Puntigrus tetrazona)

Many people may object to keeping these two aggressive species together as tank mates. But tiger barbs and red tail sharks have similar personalities. Each fish can stand their own ground and are not likely to hurt one another, so they can be kept together in the same tank. Plus, tiger barbs are pretty easy to care for!

Tiger barbs can grow up to 3 to 4 inches long. While they are still smaller than red tail sharks, they are big enough not to get eaten. The minimum tank size for a red tail shark is around 20 to 30 gallons, but since the fish are relatively small, you can keep many together in the same tank. The ideal water temperature for them is approximately 75 to 82°F. Similarly, the water temperature needs of a red tail shark is between 72 and 79°F.

2. Molly Fish (Poecilia sphenops)

You can add all kinds of mollies in a tank with red tail sharks, but black mollies (native to Central America) are the best option. But if you don’t have black mollies specifically, don’t worry too much! Mollies have happy, peaceful personalities, so you won’t see them getting bullied by their tank mates, even red tail sharks. Since mollies are pretty sociable and tend to stay in groups, red tail sharks are unlikely to target them.

Mollies grow to around 3 to 4 inches long – big enough not to be targeted by the red tail shark, especially when grouped together. Their water temperature needs are similar to those of the red tail shark: around 75 to 80°F. In terms of minimum tank size, they require a tank of at least 10 to 20 gallons.

3. Bala Shark (Balantiocheilos melanopterus)

Bala sharks are around two times larger than red tail sharks, so they can easily hold their ground against their feisty tank mates. Bala sharks are peaceful despite their larger size, so they’ll easily get along with other fish as well. In terms of appearance, these sharks have a shimmery gray body with short, dark fins.

These fish like to spend most of their time in the middle section of the tank, so they’ll generally stay out of the red tail shark’s way.

The ideal water temperature range for bala sharks is between 72 to 82°F, so they are easily compatible with the water temperature needs of red tail sharks as well, making them ideal tank mates. And, of course, due to their larger size of around 14 inches, these sharks need a larger tank to move around freely. They require a minimum of 125 gallons for a small group or pair, which is more than enough space for your red tail shark as well.

4. Zebra Danio (Danio rerio)

Zebra danios are about 1.5 to 2.5 inches long and have zebra-like horizontal stripes on their bodies. They come in a wide range of colors, so you can pick one based on what kind of aquarium look you are going for. As colorful and hardy fish, zebra danios are compatible with a wide range of tank mates, including red tail sharks. Since these danios are peaceful and playful, they are not likely to cause any trouble in the tank. And as they are active and swim in shoals, red tail sharks are not likely to attack them. Furthermore, since they are fast swimmers, if a red tail shark were to bully them, they can easily swim away.

Their ideal water temperature should be 64 to 77°F, and they require a tank size of at least 10 gallons.

5. Swordtail (Xiphophorus)

Swordtails get their name from the interesting shape of their tail. These fish are native to Central America and are generally playful and peaceful. They are fast enough to avoid getting hurt by aggressive, larger tank mates. Moreover, they are pretty active and curious and tend to stay in groups, making them less of a target. Swordtails also keep to themselves and avoid interacting with other fish, which means they won’t bother your red tail sharks.

Swordtails are approximately 5 inches long, with females larger than their male counterparts. One adult swordtail requires around 15 gallons worth of aquarium space with each additional swordtail requiring another 5 gallons. So, for a pair, you’ll need a 20 gallon tank. Their tank water temperature should be kept at 64 to 82°F, which is perfect for red tail sharks. 

6. Angelfish (Pterophyllum)

Generally, angelfish can be problematic to keep with other aggressive fish like red tail sharks, but they surprisingly make good tank mates. In a way, it seems the two fishes’ aggressive behaviors result in a surprisingly well-balanced tank, with not a lot of conflict. Although there’s not too much research on why this is the case, researchers believe the reason for this is that angelfish and red tail sharks are simply wired similarly and instinctively know to leave each other alone.

Angelfish require a minimum tank size of 55 gallons and a water temperature of 78 to 84°F. They require moderate care and can grow up to 6 inches long.

7. Neon Tetra (Paracheirodon innesi) 

Neon tetras are non-aggressive fish and can adapt to various water temperature changes (as low as 68 and as high as 80°F). They love to stay in the middle of the tank, so they don’t generally interact with red tail sharks, who usually inhabit the lower part of the tank.

These tetras are quite small, approximately 1.5 inches long, but this won’t make them a target, as neon tetras tend to stay in groups. Their minimum tank size should be 10 gallons, so a tank where you keep your red tail shark should be more than enough for them. They also prefer a water temperature of 75 to 80°F, but, as mentioned, they can tolerate a wide range.

8. Pearl Gourami (Trichopodus leerii)

Pearl gouramis are usually peaceful and docile. But one thing to keep in mind is that you should keep them in a ratio of one male to three or four females. This is to eliminate competition with red tail sharks and so that the pearl gouramis stay protected by staying in groups. Another reason pearl gouramis make good tank mates for red tail sharks is that these fish like to stay in the upper section of the tank, so they’ll be out of the shark’s way.

Pearl gouramis are around 4 to 5 inches long and require a minimum tank size of 30 gallons with an ideal water temperature of 77-82°F.

9. Dwarf Gourami (Trichogaster lalius)

Another ideal tank mate for red tail sharks is the dwarf gourami. These fish swim mostly in the middle and top levels of the aquarium, making them excellent tank mates for bottom-dwelling fish, like red tail sharks. Similarly to pearl gouramis, be careful with adding male dwarf gouramis to the tank as they may see other fish, like red tail sharks, as competition. So, ideally, add more females dwarf gouramis than males.

These fish grow to roughly 3 to 5 inches long, and you can easily keep up the 3 gouramis in one 10-gallon tank, though, ideally, they will have at least 5 gallons of space each. Keep the water temperature at around 72 to 82°F.

10. Platies (Xiphophorus maculatus)

Platies occupy the middle or upper sections of the tank, so they will rarely enter the red tail shark’s territory, making them an ideal tank mate. Not to mention that they are extremely cheap and beginner-friendly as well! Platies are generally peaceful and keep to themselves, spending most of the time in groups. However, male platies can show aggressive competitive behavior, so make sure the female platies always outnumber the males for a peaceful tank.

Platies come in a wide variety of colors and patterns and grow up to 3 inches long. They don’t require much in terms of space, needing just 2 gallons of tank per fish. Their water temperature needs are similar to red tail sharks, at around 70 to 77°F.

11. Rasbora (Trigonostigma heteromorpha)

Rasboras are shimmery fish with beautiful colors and come in a variety of sizes as well, ranging from less than an inch to 6 inches long! Rasboras are peaceful and friendly in nature and prefer swimming in groups. They are middle-level swimmers, so they will stay out of your red tail shark’s way, making them ideal tank mates. Unfortunately, due to their friendly nature, rasboras may become targets of bullying, so make sure there are plenty of hiding spaces in the tank.

The water temperature needs of rasboras depend on the particular species, but generally, they require a temperature between 72 and 81°F to thrive. 

12. Clown Loach (Chromobotia macracanthus)

Another best tank mate for red tail sharks is the clown loach. These fish are highly non-aggressive and can get along with pretty much any fish kept in an aquarium! They prefer to remain in a group of four or more, so they are not likely to become targets of bullying by the aggressive red tail shark. Plus, they are large enough that the shark is likely to steer clear of them.

Growing up to 6 to 8 inches long, clown loaches require more space than your average aquarium fish. Generally, they require a minimum tank size of 75 gallons and an ideal water temperature of 70 to 82°F. Since red tail sharks will have plenty of space in a minimum 75-gallon tank, there’ll be plenty of space for both types of fish.

13. Silver Dollars (Metynnis argenteus)

Silver dollars are beautiful fish that grow to around 6 inches long. Due to their size, they need a lot of space to swim. Thus, you need a bigger tank with a minimum of 100 gallons of water at around 75 to 82°F!

These fish like to stay on top of the tank, away from red tail sharks, making them ideal tank mates for our feisty sharks. Plus, since there’s so much space in a 100-gallon tank, your red tail sharks are not likely to bother the silver dollars at all! Both fish should be able to coexist peacefully.

14. White Cloud Mountain Minnow (Tanichthys albonubes)

White cloud mountain minnows are beautiful neon-colored fish that make excellent tank mates for red tail sharks. These omnivorous fish like to roam around in the top half of the tank and will be out of the way and not bother the sharks, so the two fishes will be able to coexist without any issues. Plus, white cloud mountain minnows tend to stay in groups, outnumbering the red tail shark, and making them less likely targets of bullying.

White cloud mountain minnows grow to around 1.5 inches long and require a tank of at least 10 gallons and a water temperature of 65 to 77°F, similar to the red tail shark’s temperature needs of 72 to 79°F.

15. Congo Tetra (Phenacogrammus interruptus)

These gorgeous tetras are found in the Congo River of Africa, as evidenced by their name. They are considered peaceful in nature as they prefer to be left alone. In fact, it’s likely that your red tail sharks won’t even notice them or be bothered by their presence. It’s best to keep a group of around 6 to 10 congo tetras with red tail sharks, as long as you have space for it. These fish are happiest in groups.

Congo tetras grow to 3 inches long. And they require a minimum tank size of 40 gallons, with an ideal water temperature of 73 to 82°F.

Summary of Ideal Tank Mates to Pair With Red Tail Sharks

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