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Epalzeorhynchus bicolor
Formerly Labio Bicolor

Not really a "shark" But with the shape of the dorsal fin the name became obvious. The striking color contrasts makes this one of the most sought after fish. Aggressive to one another they should not be kept in groups.

Quick stats: Listed tank sizes are the minimum Size: Up to 6" (15cm) Tank: 36 inches Strata: Bottom-middle PH: 6.0 to 7.5 Hardness: Soft to medium. dH range: 5-18 Temperature: 73ºF to 84ºF (23-29°C) Classification Order: Cypriniformes Suborder: Cyprinoidei Family: Cyprinidae Genera: Epalzeorhynchus

 

Common name

Red tailed Black shark

Additional species photographs

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Distribution

In the streams of Thailand.

A large Dorsal fin, usually held upright with its outer back edge concave. Belly profile slightly curved and the back is very convex. Down-facing mouth, with two set of barbels. The body id slightly compressed and long. They can reach a length of about five inches, with the females larger than the males.

A Reddish-Orange to Red Caudal fin with the Pectoral fins being the same or sometimes dark. If the fish is in good condition the rest of the body, including the rest of the fins is Velvet or jet Black. There are some color variations but the one described is the one most commonly seen. Specimens that are in poor health or not kept in the proper conditions will appear pale and washed out.

A fish that can be kept easily in the home aquarium for many years. Their water temperature should be kept between 75 and 80 degrees F. The water hardness should be on the soft side and not contain too many dissolved salts. They also benefit from frequent water changes. A larger aquarium is best to house these fish as if you are going to keep more than one as pecking order will be established, with one fish controlling the whole group. You will be able to identify the leader by its intense coloration. Hiding places must be provided. The tank should not be lit to bright as the fish are shy. Decorations should include driftwood and live plants, for more information go to the Biotope page on details on how to set up an Asian water tank. Diet should be balanced with a good flake food, occasional live food and supplemented with some vegetable matter. All in all Epalzeorhynchus Bicolor is a fine and colorful addition to any aquarium.

Clear and muddy waterways littered with wood and stones

Reports of hobbyist breeding Epalzeorhynchus Bicolor are very rare. What I have found is that a large well planted tank with a ratio of more females to males is needed. The females are more robust and rounded than the males. A spawning tube will appear weeks before spawning and the male fertilizes the eggs in jerky thrusting motions as the eggs are scattered. It is said that the eggs hatch in a couple of days and the fry are easy to raise. Most breeding is done in open ponds in their native Thailand and exported around the world.

Redtail Shark Click photo to buy

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From: Kevin R. Stringer Date:8/29/2007 I am a huge fan of this fish, having kept them since I began in the hobby as a preteen. They are usually quite passive and do not bother other fish in a community setting unless bullied first. Then, they are usually able to give as good as they get. The only exception to this is some Cichlids that are more aggressive and can bully them to the point of illness or death. Though this fish can adapt to just about any water conditions in terms of PH or hard/soft water, they really do best in soft, slightly acidic water. They are somewhat forgiving of water quality, but shouldn't have to be. Again, this is a wonderful fish. I have never tried to keep more than one in a tank at a time, but as a single species in various community tanks I've had over the years, they are a great addition! From: Brian Date:6/10/2007 I have a small one that I have recently added to my 29 gallon tank and he seems to be doing well. As far as I can tell likes to eat algae more than anything else at this point. He has been very peaceful so far, even ignoring the glolite tetras. The clown loach who is slightly larger than him does bully him a bit. He swims in the mid-strata occasionally but stays on the bottom mostly and sometimes hides in caves. From: Ben Date:10/12/2006 I love these fish, but in my one year experience with one of them I have found out(the hard way usually) that they are very aggressive towards almost any fish that is smaller than them, including barbs, tetras and even gouramis. My red-tailed shark simply won't tolerate any newcomers to his 30 gallon home! From: Jake O'Farrell Date:12/15/2003 These are beautiful fish in the correct conditions. Keep them in a 36 inch tank minimum, with live plants, caves,bogwood and driftwood. Be very cautious when housing them with small, slow fish, also be careful with small cave dwellers that may intrude on the sharks territory as they can be aggressive and injure/kill them. From: Josh Date:6/12/2001 My shark likes to lie vertical to the intake on the filter. Half the time I think he is dead. It must feel like a jacuzzi of somethin! From: Kevin Date:11/18/2001 My shark has started to become more aggressive toward my severum. Make sure your tank provides enough room for the shark to have an established territory (cave, rocks, etc.) From: Michael Date:01/13/2002 When I got my first red tailed black shark I put him in he was fine I walked off with the lid off I came back about 10 mins or more later and he was on the floor all dry up so I quickly put him in my tank and shaked him around he was starting to swim when he just went to the bottom I said hell make it so the next morning I woke up and he was playing around like noting happen today still he is my biggest and favourite fish in my comunity tank. From: Andy Date:02/09/2002 I never see mine unless I am cleaning the tank. He stays in the cave and doesn't come out, but that might be because he is scared of the oscar. CLICK HERE FOR MORE COMMENTS

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