Cichlids with Red Tailed Black Shark

[dcbluemeanie]

I just stocked my first cichlid tank and I have a question. I had great help at the lfs, the guy who sold them to me had several display tanks in the store stocked with fish he bred and raised so I trusted his knowledge. He told me, however, that my red-tailed black shark would live peacefully with my new African Cichlids. To prove it he showed me two different tanks (that he said were his personal ones, not for sale) that had that mixture. I have since added my shark to the cichlid tank (new cycled tank so there is no hierarchy yet) and he (the shark) keeps attacking EVERYONE and it is clear that the cichlids could kill him any time they want. They seem tolarent of him and just chase him away but I am worried that he is going to get hiimself killed. Any advice?
BTW, the shark and the cichlids are all about the same size (1.5 inches).
Thanks!

 

[SoulFish]

what kind of cichlids?

 

[dcbluemeanie]

African rift

 

[Paul]

He might do ok, it's hard to say. All your fish are still small, as they age they'll become more aggressive. I'd give a Redtail Black shark about a day in my Tanganyikan tank before he got dismembered. I have a Flying fox in my oddball tank with a mix of different cichlids including a 4 inch Port Acara and he does ok.

 

[SoulFish]

what kind of rift lake cichlids?

 

[Vyache]

My Redtailed Black shark has little fits of aggressiveness whenever he feels that his chosen teritory is threatened. My guess is that he is just trying to establish his own space and pecking order. Hopefully it will all work itself out in a couple days. Red tail sharks are one of my favorites and I'd definitely recomend then for just about all tanks. Although they can get a little protective, I've never had one actually hurt another fish.