Rainbow shark size: how big does it get?

Adults reach about 15 cm. Record sizes among the 4 Epalzeorhynchos species on LumaReef: 9.3 cm (Redfin Shark) to 16 cm (Flying Fox Carp).

Rainbow shark tank size: what is the minimum?

A tank at least 120 cm long. In LumaReef that is the Wide tank or larger.

Rainbow shark water parameters: what does it need?

Temperature 22–27 °C, pH 6.5–7.8, hardness 4–16 °dGH. Close to what most Epalzeorhynchos on LumaReef need (20–26 °C).

Rainbow shark tank mates: what can it live with?

It gets along with 64 of the 99 freshwater species in the catalogue, such as Bristlenose pleco, Sailfin molly, and Giant danio.

FreshwaterComing soon130 coinsUncommon

Rainbow shark

Epalzeorhynchos frenatum

It claims a patch of the bottom and chases off any lookalike that enters.

The Rainbow shark (Epalzeorhynchos frenatum) is a tropical freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae. It swims in midwater, close to the bottom. Adults grow to about 15 cm. In the aquarium it needs a tank at least 120 cm long and water at 22–27 °C.

Size: 15 cm
Smallest tank: 120 cm
Temperature: 22–27 °C
Care: Moderate

In the aquarium

Temperature22–27 °C

pH6.5–7.8

Hardness4–16 °dGH

Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Diet: Omnivore
Activity: Moderate
Water layer: Bottom
Group: Lives on its own
Plants: Plant safe

These values are compiled from real species data, and the LumaReef simulation is built to keep them true to life.

Which tank it fits

Nano60 cm · 65 litresToo small
Standard90 cm · 180 litresToo small
Wide120 cm · 300 litres18 of them
Living room180 cm · 650 litres40 of them
Showcase250 cm · 1,200 litres75 of them
Gallery300 cm · 1,440 litres90 of them

Who it lives with

Gets along64 species

and 40 more species

Caution31 species

Narrow shared temperature range

Not together4 species

Water temperatures do not overlap

In the wild

Water type: Freshwater
Climate zone: Tropical
Habitat: Midwater, close to the bottom
Aquarium trade: Traded commercially

Conservation status

Classification

OrderCypriniformes
FamilyCyprinidae
GenusEpalzeorhynchos
SpeciesEpalzeorhynchos frenatum
Described byFowler, 1934

In other languages

English: Rainbow Sharkminnow
German: Grüner Fransenlipper
Spanish: Tiburón arco iris
Russian: Таиландский лабео
Japanese: レインボーシャーク

Quick answers

Rainbow shark size: how big does it get?: Adults reach about 15 cm. Record sizes among the 4 Epalzeorhynchos species on LumaReef: 9.3 cm (Redfin Shark) to 16 cm (Flying Fox Carp).
Rainbow shark tank size: what is the minimum?: A tank at least 120 cm long. In LumaReef that is the Wide tank or larger.
Rainbow shark water parameters: what does it need?: Temperature 22–27 °C, pH 6.5–7.8, hardness 4–16 °dGH. Close to what most Epalzeorhynchos on LumaReef need (20–26 °C).
Rainbow shark tank mates: what can it live with?: It gets along with 64 of the 99 freshwater species in the catalogue, such as Bristlenose pleco, Sailfin molly, and Giant danio.
Rainbow shark: alone or in a group?: It can be kept on its own.
Rainbow shark and plants: is it plant safe?: Yes, it leaves plants alone.