Red-Tailed Shark---Epalzeorhynchus bicolor

Red-Tailed Shark

Origins:Southeast Asia, occuring in Thailand, notably in the central area of the country.
Size: 6"
Diet:Flake and small livefoods.
Water:Temperature 72-79F; soft to hard (50-150 mg/l) and acidic to neutral (pH 6.0-7.0).
Temperament:Intolerant of its own kind.

The velvet-black body of these cyprinids is offset by the brigh red coloration of the tail. Females are larger than males, and their caudal fin is not as brightly colored. Breeding in the typical home aquarium is unrealistic because of their aggressive nature. A single fish in a community tank is unlikely to be disruptive, but avoid tankmates with a similar coloration, since they may be attacked. Young Red-Tailed Sharks are silvery at first, gaining their red caudal fin when about seven weeks old.