Rainbow Shark
Epalzeorhynchos frenatum
- Care level
- Intermediate
- Adult size
- 15 cm
- Minimum tank
- 243 litres
- Temperature
- 20–26 °C
Species profile
Chinese High Fin Banded Shark
Myxocyprinus asiaticus
Common names: Chinese High Fin Banded Shark, Chinese Sucker
Recognized speciesSharks
Adult size
Up to 90 cm
Up to 90 cm
Countries of origin
Good fit for your tank?
Good fit for
- A keeper with room for a large aquarium
- A mature, stable aquarium
Think carefully if
- You only want to keep one or two, because this fish needs a group of 5 or more
- You cannot provide about 5760 litres for a fully grown fish
- Your tank is newly set up
- You keep shrimp you want to protect
A tall, striped, sail-backed juvenile that grows into a plain 90 cm river fish. Keep a group of at least 5 in 5760 litres or more.
Appearance and Identification
A tall, striped, sail-backed juvenile that grows into a plain 90 cm river fish. It needs cool water and an enormous tank, and it is illegal to import or keep in several countries, so check your local law.
Check the scientific name when buying, as common names vary between sellers and countries.
Females are usually rounder.
Tank Requirements
- Suggested filter
- About 23,040–28,800 litres an hour
- Minimum tank volume
- 5760 litres
- Minimum tank length
- 400 cm
- Minimum group size
- 5
- Recommended group size
- 8
- Activity level
- Active
- Flow preference
- Moderate
- Planting preference
- Moderately planted
- Hiding places
- Yes
- Lid recommended
- Yes
- Jumping risk
- Moderate
Allow plenty of swimming length, with a tight lid, because these fish jump. Caves and wood help break up territories.
Behaviour and Tankmates
An active, fast swimmer, despite its small size compared with true sharks, and it is not related to them.
See the notes for this species, as some need a group while others are best alone.
Bottom-dwelling species can be territorial with their own kind and similar fish.
Keep with robust fish of a similar size that stay higher in the water. It is likely to eat shrimp. Choose its tankmates with care.
Water Parameters
Fairly tolerant of different water, if it is clean and stable. This fish prefers cooler water than most tropical fish, and it may not need a heater in a warm room.
Parameter caveat
Add this fish only to a mature, fully cycled tank, and keep up regular water changes.
Feeding
- Diet types
- Omnivore
- Feeding frequency
- Daily
- Preferred foods
- Quality pellets or flakeA good staple. Choose a size that fits its mouth.
- Frozen bloodworm, daphnia and brine shrimpOffer several times a week for colour and condition.
- Algae or vegetable-based foodInclude some plant matter for balance.
An omnivore that takes prepared foods, algae and small frozen foods.
Feed small amounts, and remove anything left after a few minutes.
Breeding
- Breeding difficulty
- Not commonly bred
- Parental care
- Unknown
Little has been recorded about breeding this fish in aquariums.
Habitat and Origin
- Geographic origin
- Asia, China
- Natural habitat
- Freshwater Stream, River, Rocky Shoreline
- Aquarium contexts
- Large Freshwater Aquarium, Planted Aquarium
- Audience level
- Specialist
Classification
- Profile type
- Recognized species
- Genus
- Myxocyprinus
- Family
- Catostomidae
- Species group
- Fish, Sharks
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Red Tailed Black Shark
Epalzeorhynchos bicolor
- Care level
- Intermediate
- Adult size
- 12.5 cm
- Minimum tank
- 243 litres
- Temperature
- 20–26 °C
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Crossocheilus langei
- Care level
- Intermediate
- Adult size
- 15 cm
- Minimum tank
- 304 litres
- Temperature
- 20–26 °C
Silver Flying Fox
Crossocheilus reticulatus
- Care level
- Intermediate
- Adult size
- 17 cm
- Minimum tank
- 364 litres
- Temperature
- 16–24 °C