Rainbow Sharks

[tenohfive]

I've just been given a 36" tank and whilst looking for inspiration about what to add next came across Rainbow Sharks. According to the species index, 36" is doable for them but I know nothing about them.

Do they prefer to be kept in groups, do they shoal? They look alot like Bala Sharks, do they have that same way of darting about the tank together? And how aggressive are they - could they go in with some apisto's and some tetra's or do they need to be with fish that will hold their own?

 

[jacko9901]

I've just been given a 36" tank and whilst looking for inspiration about what to add next came across Rainbow Sharks. According to the species index, 36" is doable for them but I know nothing about them.

Do they prefer to be kept in groups, do they shoal? They look alot like Bala Sharks, do they have that same way of darting about the tank together? And how aggressive are they - could they go in with some apisto's and some tetra's or do they need to be with fish that will hold their own?

they are the same as red tailed black sharks so you would have to keep just 1. the only difference is the colour.

 

[tenohfive]

I've just been given a 36" tank and whilst looking for inspiration about what to add next came across Rainbow Sharks. According to the species index, 36" is doable for them but I know nothing about them.

Do they prefer to be kept in groups, do they shoal? They look alot like Bala Sharks, do they have that same way of darting about the tank together? And how aggressive are they - could they go in with some apisto's and some tetra's or do they need to be with fish that will hold their own?

they are the same as red tailed black sharks so you would have to keep just 1. the only difference is the colour.

Really? Everything I've been able to find says they are alot more placid than RTBS?

 

[Corleone]

Really? Everything I've been able to find says they are alot more placid than RTBS?

The mixup could be coming from species names - I've seen rainbow shark applied to two different species. Theres Epalzeorhynchus frenatus and E. bicolor. Frenatus aren't as aggressive with other fish as bicolor, but the entire genus is very intolerant of their own kind, even mixing different species doesn't work.

 

[Davo86]

The rainbows are ever so slightly less aggressive than the RTB shark, you'll most likely find that once mature it won't tolerate any similar looking species.

They are not really a species that i would mix with apistos or their usual suggested tankmates

 

[tenohfive]

Fair play, I'll steer clear of them then. Thanks.