Live fish will be delivered only to selected pincodes in Kolkata and nearby areas. Here's a complete guide to the Rainbow Shark — a vibrant, torpedo-shaped freshwater fish known for its...
Live fish will be delivered only to selected pincodes in Kolkata and nearby areas.
Here's a complete guide to the Rainbow Shark — a vibrant, torpedo-shaped freshwater fish known for its bold colors and semi-aggressive personality.
Common Name: Rainbow Shark, Albino Rainbow Shark (color morph)
Scientific Name: Epalzeorhynchos frenatum
Family: Cyprinidae (carps and minnows)
Origin: Mekong River Basin, Southeast Asia (Thailand, Laos, Cambodia)
Type: Freshwater tropical fish
Trait | Details |
---|---|
Adult Size | 5–6 inches (12–15 cm) |
Lifespan | 5–8 years (can reach 10 with excellent care) |
Body: Sleek, torpedo-shaped with a dark gray to black body
Fins: All fins are bright red or orange, creating a dramatic contrast
Color Variants:
Albino Rainbow Shark – white body with red fins and red eyes
Tail: Forked, often with a vivid red fringe
Mouth: Underslung, bottom-feeding sucker mouth (not a true shark)
🧬 Despite the name, it is not a true shark — just named for its body shape.
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Behavior:
Territorial, especially as they mature
Will chase similar-looking or bottom-dwelling fish
Can coexist peacefully if given enough space and hiding spots
Generally active and curious swimmers
🚫 Avoid keeping more than one in the same tank unless the tank is very large (75+ gallons).
Requirement | Ideal Setup |
---|---|
Tank Size | Minimum 55 gallons |
Temperature | 72–82°F (22–28°C) |
pH Level | 6.5–7.5 |
Water Hardness | 5–15 dGH |
Substrate | Sand or fine gravel |
Décor | Driftwood, rocks, caves, dense plants |
Filtration | Moderate to strong flow |
Lighting | Moderate (not too bright) |
🌿 Use hiding spots and territorial barriers to reduce aggression.
Feeding Type: Omnivore (with herbivore tendencies)
Preferred Foods:
Algae wafers
Sinking pellets
Blanched vegetables: spinach, zucchini, cucumber
Occasional: bloodworms, brine shrimp, daphnia
✅ Feed once or twice daily in small amounts. They’re active grazers and will also eat algae.
Keep water clean and well-oxygenated
Perform regular 25–30% weekly water changes
Avoid overcrowding
Use rocks or decorations to break line of sight
Choose tankmates carefully
Breeding in Home Aquariums: Very rare and difficult
Requires specific conditions and large spaces
Most Rainbow Sharks in stores are commercially farm-bred using hormones
No reliable reports of home hobbyist breeding without professional setups
Compatible Tankmates (with caution):
Barbs (e.g., tiger, rosy)
Rainbowfish
Danios
Gouramis
Loaches (carefully — bottom dwellers may be chased)
Larger tetras
Bristlenose plecos
Avoid:
Other Rainbow Sharks
Red Tail Sharks
Bala Sharks
Corydoras (too peaceful and bottom-dwelling)
Slow or delicate fish (bettas, angelfish)
Small fish that may be bullied
💡 One Rainbow Shark per tank is the safest strategy.
Fin Damage – from fights or poor water conditions
Stress – due to poor water quality or cramped conditions
Ich (White Spot Disease) – common under stress
Color fading – can be due to diet or stress
Despite their bold looks, Rainbow Sharks often hide during the day and become more active at dusk.
They're great algae grazers and will clean some surfaces in the tank.
Not suitable for community tanks under 40 gallons due to aggression.
The Rainbow Shark is a stunning, bold addition to the right aquarium. With its vibrant fins, shark-like profile, and territorial nature, it thrives in well-planned, medium-to-large tanks with compatible, semi-aggressive tankmates.
*Pictures are for reference purpose size & color might vary slightly.
Delivery of live Fish is only available in Kolkata & Howrah.
Little Mermaid uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.
Someone recently boughtfromKolkata40 minutes ago
Someone recently boughtfromChennai33 minutes ago
Someone recently boughtfromKolkata20 minutes ago
Someone recently boughtfromMumbai30 minutes ago
Someone recently boughtfromKolkata30 minutes ago
Someone recently boughtfromKolkata45 minutes ago
Someone recently boughtfromKolkata1 hour ago
Someone recently boughtfromDelhi2 hours ago
Someone recently boughtfromNagpur10 minutes ago