Freshwater Fish
Red-tailed Black Shark.
A velvet-black body with a single brilliant red tail — one of the most striking freshwater fish, and one of the most territorial. Keep just one with semi-aggressive tankmates and lots of caves in a 55-gallon-plus tank.
We keep this species at our Erie store. Come and see it in the tanks, or call (814) 456-9445 and ask what we have in right now.
Sea Cave keeps this species. You will find these in the tanks at 660 East 14th Street in Erie. We never ship live animals.
- Condition
- new
- Fulfillment
- Local pickup — Erie, PA
We never ship fish, coral, or invertebrates — every animal here is one you meet in person. Each one is acclimated and health-checked in-house before it goes out into the display tanks. This is a species we keep, and what is swimming on any given day changes with the deliveries, so please call (814) 456-9445 before you drive in.
Care at a glance
What to know before you take one home.
- Care level
- Intermediate
- Temperament
- Semi aggressive
- Community
- Semi community
- Adult size
- 4.75"
- Min tank size
- 55 gallons
- Diet
- Omnivore
- Scientific name
- Epalzeorhynchos bicolor
Good tank mates
This is a semi-aggressive, semi-community fish that's very territorial, so it needs similarly-sized, not-timid tankmates and is not for a peaceful nano community. Keep just one per tank, since two will fight. Good company: fast, sturdy mid- and upper-water fish that can hold their own, like larger barbs and active rainbowfish, with plenty of caves to break up sightlines. Avoid other bottom-dwellers it will chase, shy or slow long-finned fish, and anything small enough to be bullied. When unsure about a pairing, call us.
Good to know
Despite the name, the red-tailed black shark is not a shark but a member of the carp and minnow family from Thailand.
What is in the tanks and each animal's temperament vary — call (814) 456-9445 for pairing advice.
Good tankmates
Plays well with.
Species we’d keep in the same tank, with why each pairing works. What is in the tanks and each animal’s temperament vary — call (814) 456-9445 for advice on pairing.
New to stocking a tank? Read our guide on which fish live together.
Honey Gourami
Occupies the upper water column and reliably stays out of the Red-tailed Black Shark's claimed bottom territory. Multiple sources confirm gouramis are among the more dependable partners for this shark precisely because the two species rarely share the same vertical zone. Compatible warm, slightly soft water parameters (pH 6.5–7.5, 72–79°F).
Gold Pearl Gourami
Mid-to-upper column swimmer that avoids the shark's territorial bottom zone. Must be kept in groups of three or more rather than singly — a lone Pearl Gourami with an established red-tail shark is high risk — but in a properly stocked tank with surface cover and plants, this pairing has a well-documented track record. Compatible water parameters.
Roseline Shark
Fast-moving, robust mid-water cyprinid that does not compete for bottom territory and bears no resemblance to the red-tailed shark, eliminating the look-alike aggression trigger. Agile enough to avoid harassment. Water parameters (pH 6.5–7.5, 72–79°F) align closely. No documented conflict with red-tailed black sharks in the literature.
- C
Clown Barb
A large, vigorous barb (up to 6 in) that occupies the mid-water column and is robust enough to hold its own in a semi-aggressive community. Does not compete for bottom territory. Water parameters overlap well (pH 6.5–7.5, 72–79°F). Cited directly as a compatible species on aquadiction.world's Red-tailed Black Shark profile.
Visit the store
660 East 14th Street,
Erie, PA.
Mon–Fri 12–6 · Sat 11–4 · Sun closed. Call ahead on livestock — what's on the floor rotates.