🦈 Rainbow Shark Epalzeorhynchos frenatum

The Rainbow Shark (Epalzeorhynchos frenatum) is a easy-care, semi-aggressive species from Southeast Asia. Adults reach roughly 6", so plan on a minimum tank of 55 gallons. Keep the water between 72–81°F with a pH of 6.5–7.5. It does not school and can be kept singly or in species-appropriate numbers. As an omnivore, it does best on a varied diet appropriate to its feeding style.

At a glance

Good tankmates for Rainbow Shark

Rummynose TetraBlack Skirt TetraPlatyMollySwordtailAngelfishGerman Blue RamBolivian RamApistogrammaKribensisTiger BarbRosy BarbDwarf GouramiPearl GouramiThree-Spot GouramiBronze CoryBristlenose PlecoKuhli LoachClown LoachPictus CatfishCongo TetraBuenos Aires TetraScissortail RasboraPearl DanioGiant DanioGold BarbOdessa BarbDenison BarbBoesemani RainbowfishNeon Dwarf RainbowfishMadagascar RainbowfishCelebes RainbowfishKissing GouramiMoonlight GouramiKeyhole CichlidFiremouth CichlidSeverumElectric Blue AcaraBlue AcaraRainbow CichlidSterbai CoryGlass CatfishUpside-Down CatfishYoyo LoachZebra LoachDojo LoachHillstream LoachRubber Lip PlecoClown PlecoSiamese Algae EaterBala SharkFlying FoxAfrican Butterfly FishGolden Wonder KillifishCommon GoldfishFancy GoldfishRosy Red MinnowBamboo ShrimpRabbit SnailRed Eye TetraBleeding Heart TetraColombian TetraSilver DollarRuby BarbTinfoil BarbMelon BarbTurquoise RainbowfishRed RainbowfishSnakeskin GouramiCroaking GouramiThick-Lipped GouramiGolden RamFlag AcaraGold SeverumChocolate CichlidFestivum CichlidYellow Dwarf CichlidAgassiz's Dwarf CichlidHongsloi CichlidCheckerboard CichlidEmerald CoryAlbino CoryThree-Striped CoryStriped Raphael CatfishDwarf Chain LoachRed-Tail Tinfoil BarbWeather LoachHorseface LoachLeopard Frog Pleco (L134)Zebra Pleco (L046)Gold Nugget Pleco (L177)Vampire ShrimpRed Claw CrabRed SwordtailHigh-Fin PlatyBalloon MollySailfin MollyAmerican FlagfishIndian Glassfish

Avoid these tankmates

DiscusOscarCherry ShrimpTexas CichlidFrontosaBlack Ghost KnifefishRopefishSenegal BichirBanjar Red CichlidMidas CichlidFlowerhornBlue Dream ShrimpYellow ShrimpBlack Diamond Shrimp

See the full tankmate guide for Rainbow Shark →