Red-tailed black shark Care Guide

Caring for the Red-tailed Black Shark involves replicating its natural habitat as closely as possible. In the wild, these fish inhabit rivers and streams with dense vegetation, roots, and rocks. Therefore, a well-planted tank with plenty of hiding spots, such as caves, driftwood, and rocks, is ideal. This setup not only provides security but also helps establish territories, as these fish can be territorial and semi-aggressive, especially towards similar-looking species. A tank of at least 200 liters (53 gallons) is recommended to provide enough space for their active swimming behavior.

They prefer water parameters that are slightly acidic to neutral, with a pH between 6.5 and 7.5 and a temperature range of 22-26°C (72-79°F). The Red-tailed Black Shark is omnivorous, enjoying a varied diet of high-quality flakes, pellets, and occasional live or frozen foods such as brine shrimp, bloodworms, and daphnia. They also appreciate some plant matter, such as blanched vegetables, which can help round out their diet and keep them healthy. Due to their territorial nature, they are best kept as a single specimen in community tanks or with other species that inhabit different areas of the tank to minimize aggression.