Moderate

Rainbow Shark

By The Aquarium Calculators Editorial Team ·

Epalzeorhynchos frenatum

Complete Rainbow Shark care guide covering omnivore diet requirements, semi-aggressive temperament, minimum 30 Gallons tank setup, and compatible freshwater tankmates. Difficulty: Moderate.

Rainbow Shark

Quick Answer

Rainbow Shark (Epalzeorhynchos frenatum) is similar to the Red Tail Shark but has all red fins. It requires a minimum 30 Gallons aquarium with a pH of 6.5 - 7.5 and temperature range of 22-26°C. As a omnivore with semi-aggressive tendencies, careful tankmate selection is essential.

Intro

Rainbow Shark (Epalzeorhynchos frenatum) is similar to the Red Tail Shark but has all red fins. It is a semi-aggressive bottom dweller from Southeast Asia.

Setup

A 30-gallon or larger tank with caves, driftwood, and smooth substrate. Moderate to strong filtration and water movement. A secure lid is necessary.

Feeding

Omnivorous; accepts sinking pellets, algae wafers, frozen foods, and vegetable matter. Provide a varied diet.

Compatibility

Territorial with bottom fish. Keep one per tank. Avoid other sharks and bottom cichlids. Good with fast-swimming mid/top dwellers like danios, barbs, rainbowfish.

Fish Compatibility Calculator

Enter your details below for an instant recommendation.

Recommended Output

Pair status badge

--

Pair status desc

--

Temp pct val

--

Temp summary text

--

Ph pct val

--

Ph summary text

--

Space val

--

Space summary text

--

Layer emoji

--

Layer status text

--

Layer badge

--

Profile temp badge

--

Perfect list

--

Caution list

--

Incompatible list

--

Profile emoji

--

Profile name

--

Profile sci

--

Profile zone

--

Profile mintank

--

Profile temp

--

Profile ph

--

Profile note

--

Perfect count

--

Caution count

--

Incompatible count

--

Tank Position
Bottom
Water Temp
22-26°C
Adult Size
See profile
Water pH
6.5 - 7.5

Species Characteristics

Adult Size
Lifespan
Growth Rate
moderate
Tank Compatibility
Community compatible
Indoor Aquarium
Yes

Water Parameters

Water Temperature
Humidity
Water pH

Tank Lighting

Tank Lighting
Standard lighting
Light Hours
N/A
Intensity
moderate

Feeding & Diet

Diet Type
Diet: Omnivore
Feeding Schedule
N/A
Live Food Options
N/A

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Rainbow Sharks should be kept together?
Keep only one per aquarium, even in tanks over 100 gallons (378 liters). Rainbow sharks (Epalzeorhynchos frenatum) become aggressive toward other sharks and similar red-tailed bottom dwellers as they mature. Two individuals in any size tank fight to severe fin damage and stress. A single adult requires a minimum of 55 gallons (208 liters) with a footprint of 48x15 inches (120x38 cm). Provide multiple cave structures (driftwood, PVC pipes) and dense plant borders. Avoid with red tail sharks and flying foxes.
What are the exact water parameters for Rainbow Sharks?
Target pH 6.5 - 7.5, General Hardness 5 - 12 dGH, Carbonate Hardness 4 - 10 dKH, Total Dissolved Solids 120 - 300 ppm, Electrical Conductivity 250 - 600 μS/cm, and temperature 72°F - 79°F (22°C - 26°C). They require a spacious tank with multiple cave structures to feel secure. Maintain nitrates below 15 ppm with weekly 25% water changes. Use a canister filter with strong flow (10x turnover). Provide smooth gravel or sand; they dig. Use a tight-fitting lid; they are jumpers.
What is the dietary and medication protocol for Rainbow Sharks?
They are omnivorous scavengers requiring 40% protein, 10% fat, 50% plant matter. Feed sinking wafers, shrimp pellets, flakes, frozen bloodworms, and blanched vegetables (zucchini, peas) daily. They graze on bottom algae. Medication alert: Tolerate copper (0.2 mg/L) but sensitive to formalin. Scaleless; use malachite green at half-dose (0.05 mg/L). Praziquantel is safe. Avoid salt (tolerance <3 ppt). Quarantine with methylene blue for 7 days.
How to breed Rainbow Sharks in captivity?
Breeding is very rare in home aquariums (requires large tanks and hormonal stimulation). Condition a group of 4-5 with high-protein foods (bloodworms, krill) for 4 weeks. Simulate rainy season: Lower temperature to 68°F (20°C), perform 50% water change with cool RO water over 6 hours, increase water flow. They are egg-scatterers; provide PVC pipes and smooth stones. Female releases 1,000-3,000 eggs. Remove parents after spawning. Eggs hatch in 24-36 hours at 75°F (24°C). Fry require green water for 5 days, then baby brine shrimp. Not recommended for hobbyists.