All fish / Cyprinidae

Rainbow shark

Epalzeorhynchos frenatum

Also known as ruby shark, red-finned shark, red fin shark, albino rainbow shark, white tip shark, rainbow sharkminnow, epalzeorhynchos frenatus, green fringelip labeo, glofish shark, ปลาทรงเครื่อง, ikan rainbow shark, 彩虹鲨

A slim, shark-shaped cyprinid with a dark grey to black body and bright red or orange fins, also sold in an albino form with a pale body. It is kept for its striking contrast and active grazing on surfaces, which helps keep biofilm and soft algae down.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

13 cm

Temperature

22 to 27 °C

pH

6.5 to 7.5

Smallest tank

200 litres

Keep as

Keep singly, or a large group of 5 or more in a big tank

Diet

Omnivore: sinking pellets, algae wafers, blanched vegetables, frozen bloodworm and brine shrimp

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

5 to 8 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Mekong, Chao Phraya and Mae Klong basins (Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam)

Breeding

An egg-scattering spawner that has rarely bred in home aquariums. Fish sold in the trade are mostly produced on commercial farms in Asia using hormone injections.

Good to know

Becomes territorial with age and will chase other bottom dwellers and similar-looking fish such as red-tailed black sharks, so give plenty of cover and only one per tank unless space is generous. It is a strong jumper, so a tight lid is essential.