Compatibility of South American Redtails

[victor448]

Does anyone have any thoughts/experience regarding the compatibility of keeping two 3 ft plus South American Redtails in a 5000 gallon plus tank? That have lived alone in there own tanks since they have been juveniles.

This is the Planet Catfish comment on compatibility. This fish is territorial within confined spaces and is certainly capable of killing other tank mates. Best kept 'home alone' unless a very large aquarium is to be provided.

I have seen examples of Redtails this size and larger getting along in 1000 to 2000 gallon tanks/ponds and of course in much larger systems.

 

[thebiggerthebetter]

I've already spoken to the OP. Is there anyone else keeping more than 1 adult RTCs out there?? Taksan?

RTCs are territorial only up to 4"-5". After that, they usually don't pay attention to each other, when housed properly. I have seen many RTCs together but almost never just by themselves... because in such huge tanks, there is always space for more fish. Still, I think you should succeed in keeping them together. They may establish a pecking order and size is not the only factor, e.g., sex too, but after that they should be quite fine. Taksan kept two RTCs together in a 5000 gal pond for whopping 27 years (did you raise them in one tank?). I have had up to 7 sub-adult RTCs in my 4000 gal but with a hundred other fish - never any squabbles between them.