Epalzeorhynchos bicolor
The red-tailed black shark is a striking black-bodied cyprinid with a bright red tail, closely related in behaviour to the rainbow shark. Adults are strongly territorial on the bottom and often intolerant of other sharks, similar barbs, or long-finned tankmates. Keep one per aquarium unless the setup is very large with broken sight lines; provide caves, rock piles, and a long tank footprint.
Sinking pellets; frozen insect larvae and crustaceans; vegetable tablets; feed in several spots to reduce squabbles.
Frequency: 1–2× daily
High-quality varied diet maintains fin colour; avoid single-food diets.
Native Region: Thailand (Mae Klong basin—wild populations threatened; trade often farmed)
Flowing streams with rocky bottoms and submerged wood.
Strong flow at one end optional; heavy planting or structure to break line of sight.
Activity Level: High
Claims a home range on bottom; may chase fish with similar shape or colour.
Difficulty: Difficult
Type: Egg scatterer
Sexual Dimorphism: Females slightly deeper-bodied when mature.
Rare in hobby; similar to other Epalzeorhynchos—egg scatterer over substrate.
Substrate: Sand
Plant Safe: Yes
Caves and vertical hardscape reduce constant chasing.
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