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Freshwater fishRainbow Shark
Rainbow Shark
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Rainbow sharks from Indonesia have deep red fins on a silver body. These sharks are actually catfish and are hardy and easy to keep and peaceful. The rainbow shark grows to about six inches.
Quick Facts
| Scientific Name | Epalzeorhynchos frenatum |
| Origin | Mekong basin (Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam); aquarium-bred |
| Care Level | Moderate |
| Temperament | Semi-aggressive, territorial (especially toward other sharks) |
| Adult Size | Up to 6" |
| Lifespan | 5–8 years |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| Water Temperature | 72–80°F |
| pH | 6.5–7.5 |
| Group Size | Keep one per tank |
| Shipping Size | Approx. 2" |
Care Guide
Tank setup: Give a rainbow-type shark caves, driftwood and plants to break up sight lines, plus a tight lid, since they jump.
Feeding: Feed sinking pellets or wafers and a quality flake once or twice a day. They also enjoy algae wafers and frozen bloodworms.
Tankmates: Keep only one rainbow-type shark per tank, and avoid other bottom-dwelling sharks and territorial fish like red-tailed sharks. They do best with fast, mid- to upper-level swimmers such as danios, barbs, rainbowfish and larger tetras.
Good to know: Despite the name, these "sharks" are members of the carp family, not true sharks or catfish. They claim a territory near the bottom and chase other bottom dwellers, so give them caves and keep only one per tank.
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