red-tailed shark question

[DazzleDiscus]

ok. I have a 30gal tank. what do you think about this combination:

1 red-tailed shark
2 blue rams (male, female)
2 pearl gouramis (male, female)
8-10 cardinal tetras
5 corydoras (julii)
[the only ones I have now are cardinal tetras and corydoras]

I have been having an increase in beard algae and had read that red-tailed sharks eat it... A long time ago I had kept one. He never hurt any fish, just chased them 'til they were about five inches away from his castle of rocks. I had him for over two years, then gave him away to make room for an incompatible species.
I'm kind of wary putting him in with dwarf rams...
any imput would be highly appreciated!

[bryan]

You might want to get a siamese algae eater instead(not a flying fox, they appear similar). I don't find red-tail sharks to be effective.

[Quixotic]

Here is a previous discussion on red-finned and red-tailed shark.
http://www.aquaticquotient.com/forum...ighlight=shark

From most literatures, Epalzeorhynchos frenatum (red-finned shark) is the one mainly associated with algae eating, not E. bicolor (red-tailed shark).

However, they may not eat all types of algae. Regardless, both are quarrelsome, so they do better in larger tanks.

[DazzleDiscus]

thank you so much! I remember that my old 'shark' did have all red fins... and he was called a rainbow shark. As for the SAE... I have asked every pet store that I know of and they don't know what it is. One guy even said that the fish doesn't exist! I checked online, but I'm not very willing to spend $30 for shipping alone to get them. But always keep my eyes open for them and critically search all the tanks that have flying foxes.