Origin
The rainbow shark (Epalzeorhynchos frenatum) is a freshwater fish with a wonderful appearance.
It is part of the family Cyprinidae, genus Epalzeorhynchos and is native to Southeast Asia, Thailand and Indonesia.
Rainbow fish belongs to the family Cyprinidae, genus Epalzeorhynchos. It is native to Thailand, Indonesia and Southeast Asia.
Feeding The Rainbow Shark
The rainbow shark is mostly a herbivorous fish, preferring to eat algae.
But it is good that live food is introduced into its diet, such as insect larvae, tubifex worms, zooplankton and small crustaceans.
It is generally an omnivorous fish, which feeds, besides algae, on moss or leaves.
If you have a healthy and correct diet, it develops quickly.
Discomfort, lack of food or poor nutrition are reflected in the color and level of activity of the fish.
Features and description Rainbow Shark
If most shark fish reach even the size of 30 cm, the rainbow shark does not exceed in length 15 cm. The body is elongated, and the color that predominates is greenish-black.
But the name of this fish is Shark "rainbow" precisely because the fins and tail are brightly colored in shades of fire, beautiful combinations of red and orange. There are also white specimens with colorful flippers, but these are very rare.
The abdomen of these fish is flat, the eyes are large and the muzzle is sharp. In the gills area you can see a slight black stripe, which continues to the mouth.
The differences between females and males are more than obvious. Males have a slimmer body and their brightly coloured dorsal fins are streaked with thin black stripes.
In the natural environment, the fish that are part of this species live in fairly large groups, so it is preferable that the aquarium also hosts 6-8 specimens. In the aquarium, the rainbow shark lives on the surface and in the center and can be considered a genuine sanitary fish, as it also consumes the food remains of other fish.
Although it is not a large fish, the rainbow shark needs enough space, being a very energetic fish. An aquarium of about 200 l is suitable.
It must contain numerous plants, especially in the back area, and hiding places should not be missing either. In the natural environment, the rainbow shark prefers waters with a sandy bottom, so the substrate in the aquarium is preferable to be made of fine-grained sand.
Fish tend to jump, so aquarium cover is vital. The water must be very well oxygenated, and the optimum temperature is between 22-26gr C.
This fish is not a shark. It was named because of its shark-like shape.
Breeding The Rainbow Shark
It is an oviviparous fish.
Breeding is difficult and cannot be done in personal aquariums.
Although it is not a difficult fish to maintain, the rainbow shark is not suitable for beginner aquarists.
It is an ideal fish for those who know some of the many secrets of this wonderful passion.
