Red-tail Black Shark (Epalzeorhynchos bicolor) Care Guide

A stunning fish with a jet-black body contrasted by a vivid red tail. Highly territorial, especially towards other bottom-dwelling and similarly shaped fish. Only one should be kept per tank.

Overview

Epalzeorhynchos bicolor is a species in the family Cyprinidae. A stunning fish with a jet-black body contrasted by a vivid red tail. Highly territorial, especially towards other bottom-dwelling and similarly shaped fish. Only one should be kept per tank. Needs plenty of hiding places among driftwood and rocks.

Taxonomy

Family: Cyprinidae
Genus: Epalzeorhynchos
Scientific name: Epalzeorhynchos bicolor
Other names: Red-tailed Shark, Labeo bicolor
Origin: Southeast Asia

Habitat

Epalzeorhynchos bicolor is a cyprinid "shark" from rivers and floodplains of Thailand in Southeast Asia, now critically endangered in the wild. It is a territorial bottom dweller that grazes algae and biofilm and defends a feeding area against similar fish.

Tank requirements

Minimum tank volume: 200 L
Temperature: 22-26 °C
pH: 6.5-7.5
GH: 5-15 °dGH
Water flow: moderate
Adult size: 10-12 cm
Lifespan: 5-8 years
Difficulty: intermediate

Diet

Classified as omnivore. Recommended feeding frequency: 2x daily. In captivity, offer a varied diet appropriate to the species — quality prepared foods supplemented with frozen or live items of suitable size.

Compatibility

Temperament: aggressive
Position in tank: bottom
Compatible tank mates: Tiger Barb, Giant Danio, Clown Loach
Avoid with: Rainbow Shark, Another Red-tail, Small Bottom Dwellers, Corydoras

Breeding

Breeding strategy: egg-layer
Breeding difficulty: advanced