Rainbow Shark
Epalzeorhynchos frenatum
Family: Cyprinidae • Origin: Southeast Asia
Rainbow Sharks are sleek, black-bodied fish with vivid red/orange fins. Territorial toward bottom-dwellers but leave mid/top swimmers alone.
Min Tank
55 gal
Max Size
6"
Temperature
75-81°F
pH
6.5-7.5
Lifespan
8 years
School Size
Solo OK
Swim Level
bottom
Hardness
5-15 dGH
semi-aggressiveintermediateomnivore
Care Tips
- • Only keep ONE — will fight others of same species
- • Territorial toward bottom-dwellers
- • Needs 55+ gallons
- • Provide caves and hiding spots
- • Leaves mid/upper fish alone
Feeding: Sinking pellets, algae wafers, frozen foods, blanched vegetables.
Compatibility Notes: Highly territorial toward other bottom-dwellers and similar-looking fish. Only keep ONE. Needs lots of space.
Tank Setup & Water Parameters
Tank Requirements
- Minimum Tank Size
- 55 gallons
- Recommended Tank Size
- 75 gallons
- Swimming Level
- bottom
Water Parameters
- Temperature
- 75–81°F
- pH Range
- 6.5–7.5
- Hardness (dGH)
- 5–15
- Water Type
- freshwater
Behavior & Temperament
- Temperament
- semi-aggressive
- Aggression Level
- 3/5
- Schooling
- No
- Territorial
- Yes
- Fin Nipper
- No
- Predatory
- No
- Diet Type
- omnivore
- Growth Rate
- moderate
Highly territorial toward other bottom-dwellers and similar-looking fish. Only keep ONE. Needs lots of space.
Breeding
- Breeding Type
- egg layer
- Breeding Difficulty
- very difficult
- Lifespan
- 8 years
Ideal For
55 gallonsemi aggressive community
Compatible Tank Mates
View all →
Neon Tetra
Paracheirodon innesi
70-81°FpH 6-710+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+1.5"
Ember Tetra
Hyphessobrycon amandae
73-84°FpH 5.5-75+ gal
peacefulschooling 8+0.8"
Rummy Nose Tetra
Hemigrammus rhodostomus
75-84°FpH 5.5-720+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+2.5"
Black Neon Tetra
Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi
73-81°FpH 5.5-7.510+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+1.6"
Serpae Tetra
Hyphessobrycon eques
72-82°FpH 6-7.520+ gal
semi-aggressiveschooling 6+1.75"
Black Skirt Tetra
Gymnocorymbus ternetzi
70-82°FpH 6-7.515+ gal
peacefulschooling 5+3"
Similar Species
Yoyo Loach
Botia almorhae
75-82°FpH 6.5-7.530+ gal
semi-aggressiveschooling 4+6"
Peacock Cichlid
Aulonocara sp.
76-82°FpH 7.5-8.555+ gal
semi-aggressive6"
Red Tail Shark
Epalzeorhynchos bicolor
72-79°FpH 6.5-7.540+ gal
semi-aggressive6"
Flying Fox
Epalzeorhynchos kalopterus
72-79°FpH 6-7.540+ gal
semi-aggressive6"