Red-tailed Shark

• Diet: Flake, Frozen, Freeze-dried
• Maximum size: 5"
• Water temperature: 72-82° F
• Swimming level: Bottom
• Experience level: Intermediate
• Tank Setup: 20+ gallons, rocks and/or driftwood

Red-tailed sharks are very territorial with all types of fish. They do not tolerate their own kind, and will stake a couple of territories in the aquarium at the same time. Despite their name, they are not really sharks and actually belong to the minnow family. It is their upright dorsal fin that gives them a shark-like appearance.

While most fish tend to stay at a certain level of the aquarium, you will see your shark swimming at the bottom, middle and top of your tank. They are omnivores, which means they eat both plant and animal matter, including prepared foods, small live foods and certain vegetables. Sharks are active swimmers and need a large tank that is long rather than tall. A good rule of thumb is one gallon of water for every one inch of full-grown fish.

Common Name
Redtail Shark

Other Common Names
Redtail Black Shark

Scientific Name
Epalzeorhynchus bicolor

Family
Cyprinidae

Feeding Habits
Fresh spinach, zucchini, lettuce and algae. Live brine shrimp, blood worms, glass worms and tubifex worms. Frozen vegetable diet, blood worms, brine shrimp, glass worms and plankton. All types of freeze dried and pelleted foods.

Habitat
Thailand: Lots of areas to stake territories a must, use rocks driftwood and live plants for decoration.

Breeding
The back edge of the dorsal fin forms a right angle on the female and the males ends in a point. Redtails have been bred in captivity, but the success rate is low due to their lack of intolerance for each other.

Additional Comments
Juveniles require a lot of vegetation in their diet , otherwise their body color fades and their growth is inhibited. Sensitive to nitrites in the water.

More information
Visit our Fish Care Center to find products, care information and bright ideas to enhance your underwater world.

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