Red-tailed black shark Breeding Guide

Breeding the Red-tailed Black Shark in captivity is notably difficult and rarely occurs in a home aquarium setting. In the wild, these fish are known to spawn during the rainy season when environmental conditions such as water temperature and chemistry change. They are egg scatterers, releasing their eggs among plants or in crevices, without showing any parental care. Due to their territorial nature, it can be challenging to create a harmonious environment for breeding pairs, as they may become aggressive towards each other.

In rare cases where breeding does occur, it is usually in large, well-maintained aquariums with specific conditions mimicking their natural habitat, including soft, slightly acidic water and plenty of plants. After spawning, the adults should be removed to prevent them from eating the eggs. The eggs typically hatch within 48-72 hours, and the fry can be fed infusoria or specially prepared fry food. Due to the difficulty of breeding this species in home aquariums, most Red-tailed Black Sharks available in the aquarium trade are bred in specialized breeding facilities.