All species
fishintermediate
Rainbow Shark
Epalzeorhynchos frenatum
A sleek black shark-lookalike with neon-red fins — a striking 'cleanup' fish that patrols the tank bottom on its own terms.
5–6 in5–8 years
Habitat
Enclosure
30 gal minimum · one per tank
Temperature
72–79°F
Humidity / Water
Freshwater · pH 6.5–7.5
Heating & lighting
Stable heater, strong filtration, and a tight lid — they jump. One cave per shark, high above the 'floor' they claim.
Diet
Feed these
- Algae wafers
- Sinking pellets
- Blanched zucchini
- Frozen bloodworms
Never feed
- Other rainbow or red-tail sharks — violent turf wars
- Betta — fins shredded
- Corydoras catfish — chased off the floor
Feed sinking algae wafers and pellets — they graze the tank's surfaces all day.
Cohabitation
Can live with
Silver dollars Blue gouramis Tiger barbs — big tanks Rummynose tetras
Never house with
Other rainbow sharks and red-tail sharks — violent turf wars Betta Corydoras catfish — chased off the floor
Strictly one per tank — two rainbow sharks fight over the bottom until one is dead or hiding. Give it caves and driftwood to patrol.
