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Freshwater fishRed Tail Shark
Red Tail Shark
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The red tail shark is an active scavenger in the aquarium and is very easy to keep. These "sharks" are actually catfish and will eat anything they can fit in their mouths, which are fortunately small. Red tail sharks only grow to about four inches. The shark pictured is show quality; few red tail sharks get color that deep.
Quick Facts
| Scientific Name | Epalzeorhynchos bicolor |
| Origin | Thailand (aquarium-bred; critically endangered in the wild) |
| Care Level | Moderate |
| Temperament | Semi-aggressive, territorial (especially toward other sharks) |
| Adult Size | Up to 5–6" |
| 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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