Can red tail sharks live with chinese algae eaters?

Verdict
Yes, with care

Yes, with care. Red tail sharks and chinese algae eaters can share a tank, but watch one thing. Both claim territory on the bottom. Give each its own cave and plenty of floor space.

Red tail sharkRed tail shark72–79°F · pH 6.5–7.5 Chinese algae eaterChinese algae eater74–80°F · pH 6–8

What to watch

What works

Water side by side

55°60°65°70°75°80°85°90°Both: 74–79°Red tail shark 72–79°Chinese algae eater 74–80°
The green band is the temperature range both can live in.
456789Both: 6.5–7.5Red tail shark 6.5–7.5Chinese algae eater 6–8
The green band is the pH both tolerate.

Size to scale

Red tail shark · 5 inChinese algae eater · 10 in0"2"4"6"8"10"
Adult length in an aquarium. A fish can swallow anything that fits in its mouth, roughly a third to half its own length for predators.

Care at a glance

Red tail sharkChinese algae eater
Temperature72–79 °F74–80 °F
pH6.5–7.56–8
Adult size5.0 in10.0 in
Minimum tank55 gal75 gal
TemperamentSemi-aggressiveSemi-aggressive
Swims atBottomBottom
GroupOne per tankAlone or in pairs
DietOmnivoreHerbivore

Better tank mates for red tail sharks

All red tail shark tank mates

Better tank mates for chinese algae eaters

All chinese algae eater tank mates

Questions

Can red tail sharks live with chinese algae eaters?

Yes, with care. Red tail sharks and chinese algae eaters can share a tank, but watch one thing. Both claim territory on the bottom. Give each its own cave and plenty of floor space.

What temperature suits both red tail sharks and chinese algae eaters?

74–79 °F. Red tail sharks need 72–79 °F, chinese algae eaters need 74–80 °F.

What size tank do red tail sharks and chinese algae eaters need together?

At least 75 gal, set by the chinese algae eater. Add space for each extra fish.