Red Tailed Black Shark
Epalzeorhynchos bicolor
- Care level
- Intermediate
- Adult size
- 12.5 cm
- Minimum tank
- 243 litres
- Temperature
- 20–26 °C
Species profile
Rainbow Shark
Epalzeorhynchos frenatum
Common names: Rainbow Shark, Ruby Shark, Whitefin Shark, Whitetail Sharkminnow
Recognized speciesSharks
Adult size
Up to 15 cm
Up to 15 cm
Countries of origin
Good fit for your tank?
Good fit for
- A mature, stable aquarium
Think carefully if
- You cannot provide about 243 litres for a fully grown fish
- Your tank is newly set up
- You keep shrimp you want to protect
A dark, torpedo-shaped fish with bright red fins. Keep alone or in a small group in 243 litres or more.
Appearance and Identification
A dark, torpedo-shaped fish with bright red fins. It grows to about 15 cm, and it is territorial towards similar bottom-dwellers, so keep just one, in a long tank with caves.
Check the scientific name when buying, as common names vary between sellers and countries.
Females are usually rounder.
Tank Requirements
- Suggested filter
- About 970–1,220 litres an hour
- Suggested heater
- About 250–375 W for this tank
- Minimum tank volume
- 243 litres
- Minimum tank length
- 120 cm
- Minimum group size
- 1
- Recommended group size
- 1
- 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.
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
- Cambodia, Laos, Southeast Asia, Thailand
- Natural habitat
- Floodplain, Freshwater Stream, River, Rocky Shoreline
- Aquarium contexts
- Planted Aquarium
- Audience level
- Intermediate
Classification
- Profile type
- Recognized species
- Genus
- Epalzeorhynchos
- Family
- Cyprinidae
- Species group
- Fish, Sharks
Have you kept this species?
You can write a note about what worked for you, or send a photograph. We check everything before it appears here.
Share a note or photo
Siamese Algae Eater
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
True Flying Fox
Epalzeorhynchos kalopterum
- Care level
- Intermediate
- Adult size
- 16 cm
- Minimum tank
- 243 litres
- Temperature
- 20–26 °C