Rainbow Shark

Epalzeorhynchos frenatum

A striking freshwater fish with a sleek black body and vibrant red-orange fins. Active bottom-dweller that can be territorial. Best in spacious tanks with hiding spots.

Care Parameters

Adult size

15 cm

Min tank

100 L

Temperature

24–28°C

6.5–7.5

5–12 dGH

Diet

Omnivore

Temperament

Semi-aggressive

Water zone

Bottom

Difficulty

Beginner

Schooling

Solitary or small groups.

Suitable Plants

Cryptocoryne balansae

Care profile for Cryptocoryne balansae: medium light, low CO₂, intermediate difficulty.

Taiwan Moss

A delicate aquarium moss with fine, triangular-shaped fronds that create a lush, textured carpet. Attaches readily to hardscape and is ideal for nano aquascapes.

Red Rotala

Red stem plant. Turns red under high light with CO₂.

Anubias nana Petite

Care profile for Anubias nana Petite: low light, none CO₂, beginner difficulty.

Christmas Moss

A popular aquarium moss with branching fronds that resemble a Christmas tree shape. Attaches easily to hardscape and creates dense, attractive green coverage.

Compatible Invertebrates

Red Cherry Shrimp

A tiny, vivid red dwarf shrimp that breeds easily and endlessly entertains. Fine in nano tanks from 20 L; keep GH 4-15 dGH for successful molting, avoid copper-based medications entirely, and use a sponge filter so young shrimplets never get sucked in.

Assassin Snail

The striped predator of the aquarium world, kept to hunt down pest snails and worms. It burrows by day and hunts by night, and will happily share a tank with fish and plants - it ignores shrimp and fish entirely. Also known as Clea helena; both names are accepted.

Blue Crayfish

A selectively bred color morph of the red swamp crayfish with brilliant blue coloration. Hardy and active, but will eat plants and harass tank mates.

Vampire Shrimp

A large, impressive freshwater shrimp with fan-like appendages used to filter feed from the current. Can grow up to 15 cm and requires strong water flow and clean, well-oxygenated water.