Rainbow shark facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Rainbow shark |
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The rainbow shark (Epalzeorhynchos frenatum) is a cool freshwater fish from Southeast Asia. It belongs to the Cyprinidae family, which includes carps and minnows. People also call it the ruby shark, red-fin shark, or rainbow sharkminnow. It's a popular fish for aquariums, but it can be a bit feisty! Even though it's called a 'shark', it's not a real shark like those in the ocean. Ocean sharks have skeletons made of cartilage, but the rainbow shark is a "ray-finned fish," meaning its fins are supported by bony rays.
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Where Do Rainbow Sharks Live?
Rainbow sharks come from rivers in Indochina, like the Mekong and Chao Phraya basins. They like to live near the bottom of rivers where there's sand. These fish eat algae and tiny living things called plankton. When rivers flood, they swim into the flooded areas. Then, as the water dries up, they swim back to the main rivers.
What Does a Rainbow Shark Look Like?
Rainbow sharks have long, sleek bodies that can be black, dark blue, or bright blue. Their snout, or nose, is pointed. Their belly area is flat. The most striking part is their fins, which are bright red to orange-red! There's also a short, special stripe near their gill cover, eye, and mouth.
How to Tell Males and Females Apart
Male rainbow sharks are usually thinner than females. They also have black lines along their tailfins and brighter colors. They can grow up to about 15 centimeters (6 inches) long.
Cool Rainbow Shark Variations
There are a few different kinds of rainbow sharks you might see:
- Albino Rainbow Shark: This type has a white body but still keeps its bright red or orange fins. They act and look very similar to regular rainbow sharks.
- GloFish Shark: Some albino rainbow sharks have been genetically changed to glow under special lights. They are part of the GloFish family.
- Ghost Sharkminnow: This is a rarer type. It looks just like a regular rainbow shark, but its fins are white and almost clear, like a ghost!
Keeping Rainbow Sharks in an Aquarium
Rainbow sharks are popular for home aquariums. But they need the right conditions to be happy and healthy.
| Recommended conditions in the aquarium. | |
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| Tank size | 200 litres (50 gallons) |
| Water Temperature | 24–27 °C |
| Water salinity | Freshwater (0 ppt) |
| Temperament | Juveniles are peaceful, adults are territorial and are aggressive towards similarly-shaped fish |
| Diet | Omnivorous |
| Water hardness | 5 - 11 dH |
| pH | 6-8 |
Rainbow Shark Behavior
Rainbow sharks are known as "cleaners" in the tank. They swim at the bottom and middle levels, eating leftover fish food and algae that grows on surfaces. In the wild, they are peaceful with their own kind. But in a tank, they can become aggressive towards each other. They might chase, butt heads, or even bite. A larger rainbow shark might constantly chase a smaller one. They can also chase other fish out of their space. This behavior can make them jump out of the tank! To help prevent this, make sure they have lots of hiding spots. Things like plants, fake caves, or tunnels can make them feel safer. Because of this, rainbow sharks might not be the best choice for new fish keepers. You should also avoid keeping them with similar fish like red-tailed sharks or bala sharks, as they will likely fight.
What Kind of Tank Do They Need?
An adult rainbow shark needs a tank that holds at least 200 liters (55 gallons) of water. The tank should be at least 120 centimeters (48 inches) long. The water should have a neutral pH (between 6 and 8). The temperature should be between 24 and 27 degrees Celsius (75 and 81 degrees Fahrenheit). The water hardness should be between 5 and 11 dH. They need this much space because they swim very fast. If the tank is too small, they might bother other fish.
Who Can Live With a Rainbow Shark?
Rainbow sharks get along well with fish that swim in the upper and middle parts of the tank. Good tank mates include barbs and rainbowfish. They can also live with danios, loaches, plecos, rasboras, and gouramis. You can even keep them with some larger freshwater shrimp. However, the shark might eat any baby shrimp or eggs. Avoid putting them with smaller, shy fish, as the shark might chase them away from its territory.
What Do Rainbow Sharks Eat?
Rainbow sharks are picky eaters. They are herbivores (plant-eaters) and omnivores (eat both plants and meat). In the wild, they mainly eat algae. In a tank, you can feed them algae flakes. They also enjoy live foods like insect larvae, tubifex worms, tiny crustaceans, and other small aquatic insects. You can also give them fresh lettuce and spinach. They will also eat frozen bloodworms and brine shrimp.
Rainbow Shark Reproduction
It's very hard to get rainbow sharks to breed in a home aquarium. No one has really seen them reproduce in a tank setting. They are egg-layers, meaning they lay eggs. Most of the rainbow sharks you see in pet stores are bred on large farms in Southeast Asia.
