I couldn't resist, I bought a small red tailed shark tonight. He's only about 2 in. now and I put him in my 5 gal minibow with a "black lyretail molly" (that's what the sign said at nnnnnn, now I know it's no molly! not quite sure what it is actually, platy maybe). I'm cycling the tank now for about 2 weeks, daily water change of about 1-1 1/2 gallons. I also add nitromax to help build up the good buggies . The lady was kinda rough trying to catch him, as I noticed when we got home, his one gill area looked inflamed so I added some mellafix to the tank. I have hiding places for him since they like that. Also a bubble curtain for airation.
He seems hyper, though. Darting up and down the side of the tank, he'll even turn on his side mid-swim. My question, is this the norm for these guys? I can't find anything online that describes behavior, other than they are aggressive to their own kind.

Yes, those little critters are pretty hyper all the time. I'm looking to place one in the community tank at some point, as it'll stir things up a little. They are really easy to keep as long as your water quality is good.

Keep an eye on his gill, but they are pretty hardy creatures and with the melafix it should heal nicely. If you have any pictures, we'd love to see them. As a level 1, you won't be able to post them yourself, but if you mail them to me (use the email button below my post), I'll put them up for you!

Keep us posted!

Hey, thanks for the offer!! I'd have to borrow my friend's digital camera. I'll see if I can get a descent pic, and maybe I'll do that.

a 5 gal is a bit small for a redtail shark, once they reach adulthood they will want a 30 gal because of their territorial issues

I agree, he's not going to stay in a 5 gal forever. But right now he's only about 2 inches and he really seems to be ejoying himself. I'll take some suggestions for tank mates, though. I'm planing on getting a 55 gal this summer.

I wanted to get a red tailed albino shark for my tropicals, but the lady from the fish store advised against it, since those sharks can be a bit of a pest to other fish and do grow rather big. If that molly/platy? ever has any missing fin or other damage, you know what fish to blame for it!

nah the sharks arent too bad for other fish unless they look like sharks.... like plecs and stuff, but even the plecs can handle themselves, and the sharks dont get v big either ang, i would recomend one for your tank hun !

pretty much anything can go in with the red tail sharks, or the rainbow sharks so long as its not another one

Yeah 55 gal minimum. I'd work on that new tank soon! These guys are extremely active and need ALOT of space! Gorgeous fish once they've coloured up though.

He's been nothing but a sweetheart so far! No aggression at all. A little hyper, but behaving.
If all goes well, I'll have that tank in about a month.