Red-Tailed Black Shark

Epalzeorhynchos bicolor

Velvet black with a fire-engine red tail. It claims the bottom of the tank as its kingdom and chases other bottom-dwellers.

A semi-aggressive freshwater fish that grows to 12 cm, lives near the bottom and needs 23–28 °C, pH 6.5–7.8 and an aquarium of at least 120 L.

Care at a glance

Water

Freshwater

Temperature

23–28 °C (73–82 °F)

pH

6.5–7.8

Adult size

12 cm (4.7 in)

Aquarium

120 L or bigger (32 US gal)

Temperament

Semi-aggressive

Group size

Fine on its own

Swims

Bottom

Diet

Omnivore

Wild home

Chao Phraya basin, Thailand

Good to know

• Territorial. Fights other territorial fish in its zone, especially in small tanks.
• Solo male. Two males of this species fight to the death.
• Algae eater. Keeps algae under control.

Tank mates

Good company: Bala Shark, Black Skirt Tetra, Bloodfin Tetra, Cardinal Tetra, Cherry Barb, Dwarf Gourami, Dwarf Neon Rainbowfish, Ember Tetra, Fancy Guppy, Glowlight Tetra.

Eaten by: Asian Arowana, Motoro Stingray, Ornate Bichir, Oscar, Siamese Tigerfish.

Fights with: Black Ghost Knifefish, Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlid, German Blue Ram, Kribensis, Sunshine Peacock Cichlid.

Attacks: Corydoras, Kuhli Loach, Otocinclus, Zebra Pleco.

Attacked by: Flowerhorn, Jack Dempsey.

Eats the newborn fry of: Betta, Black Skirt Tetra, Bloodfin Tetra, Cardinal Tetra, Celestial Pearl Danio, Cherry Barb, Chili Rasbora, Crystal Red Shrimp, Dwarf Gourami, Dwarf Neon Rainbowfish, Ember Tetra, Endler's Livebearer and 15 more.

Colours

• Classic uncommon
• Albino Rainbow rare

The care values are the ones Aquarius uses, based on how these animals live. Tank mates follow the game's rules: water type, temperature and pH, who can swallow whom, fin nipping, temperament and territory.