Rainbow Shark Care Guide
Epalzeorhynchos frenatum · Easy care · 50 gallon minimum
A black-bodied, red-finned bottom 'shark' that's territorial with its own kind; keep one per tank.
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How big does a rainbow shark get?
A rainbow shark (Epalzeorhynchos frenatum) reaches about 6.0 inches as an adult. Plan tank size and tank mates around the adult size, not the small fish you buy at the store.
Tank size & setup
Give a rainbow shark a minimum of 50 gallons, with water at 72–82°F and a pH of 6.5–7.5. As a easy-care, omnivore species, a stable, cycled tank with the right diet keeps them healthiest.
Good tank mates
Pair a rainbow shark with peaceful species that share its temperature and pH range. Compatible options include:
- Neon Tetra — 1.5", 10g min
- Guppy — 2.0", 10g min
- Molly — 4.0", 20g min
- Platy — 2.5", 10g min
- Zebra Danio — 2.0", 10g min
About the rainbow shark
The rainbow shark is a species of Southeast Asian freshwater fish from the family Cyprinidae. It is also known as the ruby shark, red-fin shark, red-finned shark, rainbow sharkminnow, green fringelip labeo, whitefin shark and whitetail sharkminnow. It is a popular, semi-aggressive aquarium fish. Unlike true sharks, which belong to the Chondrichthyes lineage, the rainbow shark is an actinopterygiian.
Recommended gear for rainbow sharks
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