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Contents
Overview
The rainbow shark is a cyprinid from the Mekong and Chao Phraya basins in Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam. It has a dark gray to greenish body with every fin a vivid red-orange, and the albino form, white with red fins, is just as common in stores.
It closely resembles the red tail shark in both looks and personality: an active, hardy and colorful bottom dweller, but a territorial one that won't tolerate other sharks and can bully smaller bottom fish. It is a good pick for a medium to large community tank, as long as you choose its tank mates carefully and give it enough room.
Care and tank setup
One adult needs a tank at least 48 inches long, about 55 gallons (200 liters). The more floor space and hiding spots it has, the calmer it behaves.
- One shark per tank: not two rainbow sharks, and not a rainbow with a red tail, unless the tank is very large and well aquascaped.
- Decor: rocks, driftwood, caves and plants that create territories and break up sight lines.
- Water: clean, oxygenated and with moderate flow; weekly water changes.
- Lid: they jump when spooked.
- Tank mates: fast mid- and top-water fish of similar size, such as danios, barbs, rainbowfish or sturdy gouramis.
A classic mistake is buying a juvenile for a small tank with corydoras or shrimp. It grows, claims the entire bottom and relentlessly chases everything else living down there.
Feeding
An omnivore that leans herbivorous. It grazes algae and biofilm, but that isn't enough on its own: offer spirulina-based sinking wafers, sinking pellets and blanched vegetables, plus frozen bloodworms or brine shrimp now and then. A hungry rainbow shark may nibble very soft plants.
Breeding
Rainbow sharks don't breed in home aquariums. Their territorial nature and spawning needs, tied to seasonal river migrations, make it practically impossible. All fish in the trade, albinos included, come from Asian farms that induce spawning with hormones.
Compatible tank mates
Species from our database that share water parameters, size and temperament with the Rainbow shark. Calculated from the data in each profile.
Betta fish Betta splendens 7 gal (25 L) · 75–82 °F (24–28 °C) 
Guppy Poecilia reticulata 14 gal (54 L) · 72–82 °F (22–28 °C) 
Platy Xiphophorus maculatus 16 gal (60 L) · 68–79 °F (20–26 °C) 
Swordtail Xiphophorus hellerii 32 gal (120 L) · 72–81 °F (22–27 °C) 
Bristlenose pleco Ancistrus sp. 26 gal (100 L) · 72–81 °F (22–27 °C) 
Cherry barb Puntius titteya 16 gal (60 L) · 73–81 °F (23–27 °C) 
Tiger barb Puntigrus tetrazona 26 gal (100 L) · 72–79 °F (22–26 °C) 
Nerite snail Neritina natalensis 5 gal (20 L) · 72–82 °F (22–28 °C) 
Horned nerite snail Clithon corona 5 gal (20 L) · 72–82 °F (22–28 °C) 
Common goldfish Carassius auratus 79 gal (300 L) · 50–75 °F (10–24 °C) 
Bronze cory Corydoras aeneus 21 gal (80 L) · 72–81 °F (22–27 °C) 
Zebra danio Danio rerio 16 gal (60 L) · 64–77 °F (18–25 °C) Check the compatibility of your whole tank →
What not to keep it with
Popular species you shouldn’t house with the Rainbow shark, and why.
- Discus: incompatible temperatures
- Otocinclus catfish: one may eat the other due to size
- Celestial pearl danio: one may eat the other due to size
- Ember tetra: one may eat the other due to size
- Neon tetra: one may eat the other due to size
- Amano shrimp: eats shrimp
- Cherry shrimp: eats shrimp
Recommended equipment
What you need to keep the Rainbow shark healthy, checked against Amazon stock.
Frequently asked questions
How many liters does a Rainbow shark need?
At least about 200 liters. More space always helps keep the water stable.
What water temperature does the Rainbow shark need?
Between 22 and 27 °C, with a pH of 6.5 to 7.5.
What fish can live with the Rainbow shark?
Based on water, size and temperament, it fits with species such as Betta fish, Guppy, Platy, Swordtail and Bristlenose pleco. Use our compatibility calculator to check your whole tank.
Can the Rainbow shark be kept with shrimp?
Not recommended: because of its size or instinct, it will eat shrimp.
