Rainbow Shark Care Guide - My Favorite Community Fish

Rainbow Sharks are my favorite Aquarium Community Fish. I have wanted one since I got into the hobby, but was always limited by tank size.

Rainbow Sharks (Epalzeorhynchos frenatum) are native to Thailand. They have a gun Metal Gray Body, with Red/Pink Fins. There is also an Albino variety, as well as GloFish varieties as well. They get 5-6 inches in length, and have a life span of 5 to 8 years. Females tend to have a thicker body, while males have some small black stripes in their fins.

RAINBOW SHARK TANKMATES

While the Rainbow Shark is commonly viewed as a Community Fish, they are a semi aggressive territorial fish. They do not take kindly to other “Sharks”. Species such as Red Tail Sharks, Bala Sharks, and others should not be kept with these fish. They should also be kept by themselves with no other rainbow sharks once they mature. That being said, besides the occasional chase, they should be fine with most other community fish.

TANK REQUIREMENTS

Rainbow Sharks should be kept in a 55 gallon or bigger due to their territorial nature and their constant swimming. Some people will keep them in a low stocked 40 gallon breeder, but I wouldn’t advise it. The prefer a water temperature of 75-82 degrees Fahrenheit. They’ll handle a PH between 6.5 to 8.0.

DIET

The Rainbow Shark is an omnivore, although it is primarily an algae eater. I feel mine everything from freshwater flakes, to pellets, to algae wafers, to frozen foods and he eats it all right up.