
Never keep a Rainbow shark with any type of fish that looks similar. This would mean catfish probably wouldn’t be a good idea.Īnother thing to take into account is the look of fish that you keep with a Rainbow. For example, a shy little fish that swims on the bottom of the fish tank would never be a good tankmate for a Rainbow Shark. Rainbow sharks like to swim on the bottom of the tank, so when considering other fish for your tank, think about fish that swim in the middle of the tank or at the top of the tank.Īlso, it’s important to take into consideration personality types. And, for this reason, they can’t just be kept in an aquarium with any type of fish.įirst, never keep a Rainbow Shark in the same tank with another Rainbow. So be sure to switch up the menu for these guys and include some meat in their diets.Īs stated earlier, Rainbow Sharks are very aggressive and territorial fish. These items might include:įor many Rainbow Sharks, you’ll notice that their tails and fins become more colorful when they are fed meat periodically. It’s best to feed your Rainbow a wide variety of items. In the wild, they eat algae, decaying plants, animals, and lots of things that sit at the bottom of bodies of water. These fish are omnivores, and on top of that, they aren’t picky eaters. These help keep the fish busy and distracted, which can cut down on these fish acting out against other fish within the tank. So also make sure that your tank lid is secure.Īlso, this is a fish that can benefit from a tank that includes ornaments, rocks, and plants. If you don’t, you might find your Rainbow jumping for it. The guys like to swim and need the room to do so, so give them space. In other cases, a smaller tank might work, but it’s not recommended and not best for the fish. However, based on my experience, ideally, I believe that a 55-gallon fish tank is best. You’ll see different recommendations about the optimal tank size for a Rainbow. With Rainbows, you’ll want to avoid sudden changes in pH levels.

Additionally, you’ll want to make sure that the water meets the requirements below. Before adding any fish to a fish tank, make sure the water properly cycles and that the water is also conditioned appropriately. However, like other fish, they should always be kept in a healthy environment. However, for the most part, my shark just likes to hang out near the bottom of my tank and nibble on algae. He doesn’t exactly try to eat my pet crayfish, or my other fish, a neon tetra, but, he has no problem nipping at both when he feels like it or if they try to take his food. Also, like most Rainbow Shark, he is a bit aggressive and territorial. He moves swiftly and elegantly from one side of the tank to the other and from top to bottom. Although he will still hide out in my aquarium’s plants from time to time, he loves to swim quickly throughout the tank. Unlike when I first got him, my Rainbow Shark is now very active in my fish tank. Other than my blue crayfish, my Rainbow is one of my most favorite fish to watch. Now, a few years later, his behavior is quite a bit different. When I first purchased my Rainbow Shark, he liked to swim around a little bit and hideout in plants and behind rocks.

These types of Rainbows usually match Rainbow Shark in all of the other ways, such as behavior. Rainbows that are females will have thicker bodies, and the male Rainbow will have lines going across their tales.Īlthough they are rare, Albino Rainbow Shark do exist. However, as the fish ages, certain features will allow owners to determine the sex of the fish. When they are younger, determining the sex of the fish won’t be possible. Red tail sharks typically have only a red tail and a black body, whereas a Rainbow Shark will have orange fins and a dark gray body. However, they are, of course, a different type of fish. Rainbow Sharks can look very similar to a red tail shark. And, in case you were wondering, no, they are not actually sharks.įish Type: Freshwater Omnivore from the Cyprinidae family They like to swim near the bottom of the tank and eat algae. Although beautiful fish, Rainbow Sharks are semi-aggressive fish. Rainbows are omnivores from the Cyprinidae family. In short, the Rainbow Shark ( Epalzeorhynchos frenatum) is a unique freshwater fish that is originally from Thailand. However, before you just load your fish tank up on Rainbow Sharks, you may want to know a few important points about them. They are one of my favorite freshwater fish, and I currently have one in my fish tank. Rainbow Shark, also known as Ruby Fin Shark, are beautiful tropical freshwater fish.
