red tail shark looking old

[Red Devil]

How long does the adverage red tail shark live.. i have noticed his shimmering dark body start to get a gray tinge to the color and also he actually looks like he is graying up around the mouth area. i have had him for almost 6 years in a 220 tank with 2 pacus..he loves them and swims under them for protection. Do you think this is just age catching up with him or is something happening to his health that i can help him with medicine etc. I want to keep him going as long as possible so if anyone has any idea of whats going on with him please let me know..here is a picture of him..the old guy.

 

[grmanrocks]

i would assume by what ive been told that as they age their colors fade, he may have another 6 years in him but he just is out if his "prime". just what ive heard, ive only had mine for like 5 months and he went from 2inches to like 5 and hes super fat ! awsome fish, too bad they stay so small............

 

[Red Devil]

They may be small but they are fiesty for their size.. i hope that is the reason for his graying color.. but would love to get an idea on their life expectency, good luck with your guy .. i hope u have as many and more years as i have had with mine..

 

[grmanrocks]

my shark has already been thru hell, he had a seriuos case of ick when i bought him , brought him home he was swimming sideways and all his fins were torn .i added salt and 2 days later i all but flushed him when he came back to life pulled thru the ich , and now is thriving good luck with your old man too

 

[Red Devil]

Thats good news about how you saved your shark... and thanks for sharing your story and glad to hear it had a good ending.. I looked up sharks profile and according to them they have a life span of 6-10 years.. so maybe i still have some time left with my old guy.

 

[guppy]

5-8 years is listed as an average lifespan with a few reported as living as long as 10 years, they also seem to perk up with just a little salt (1 tbs/5gal).

 

[ewurm]

A lot of fish lose their bright colors as they get larger and older. Clown loaches are a great example. Usually the black stripes fade a bit in the larger fish. I recommend a color food such as Omega One Color flakes.

 

[Red Devil]

I thank you for all your suggestions..salt we are adding every day..but it looks like we are going to lose the battle to keep him around a bit longer.. he is starting to act differently..like he is losing his mind.. rolls around and not eating much.. i think for him time has taken it's toll.. but i am hanging in there hoping it will pass..

 

[guppy]

Salt should be added only during water changes, otherwise it accumulates.

 

[Red Devil]

Salt should be added only during water changes, otherwise it accumulates.

Thank you.. we have been doing alot of water changes..one every other day.. the shark is in the 220 gal with two giant pacu .. he has been with them since they were all babies,, I know the best way to treat him would be to take him out and put him in the sick tank and treat him by himself.. but at this point i know it would kill him faster to be separated...so we have decided to leave him alone..