{"product_id":"longfin-red-tail-black-shark-epalzeorhynchos-bicolor","title":"Longfin Red Tail Black Shark | Epalzeorhynchos bicolor","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Longfin Red Tail Black Shark is a striking velvet-black fish with a blazing red tail and long, flowing fins, reaching around 12–15 cm. Bold, active and territorial, it makes a dramatic centrepiece — but it's best kept as the only 'shark' in the tank, with space and sturdy tankmates.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eNative to the freshwaters of Thailand, where it lived in clear streams, rivers and floodplains among rocks, roots and submerged wood. Famously, it is now considered extinct in the wild and survives thanks to commercial breeding — every fish in the hobby is captive-raised. In nature it was a territorial bottom-dweller defending a patch of riverbed.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA jet-black, velvety body with an upright, sail-like dorsal fin and a vivid scarlet tail — a bold two-tone contrast. This variety extends the fins into long, flowing trails. The downturned mouth marks it as a substrate grazer, and colour is richest in a confident, well-kept fish.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eSemi-aggressive and strongly territorial. A red tail shark will claim and patrol a territory and can be a bully, especially toward other 'sharks', similar-shaped bottom fish and its own kind — keep only one per tank. In a large, well-decorated aquarium with broken sightlines it can be kept with robust, active mid- and upper-water fish that stay out of its patch.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAn omnivore that grazes algae and biofilm and takes prepared foods readily. Offer a varied diet of sinking pellets and wafers, algae-based foods, blanched vegetables, and frozen or live treats such as bloodworms and brine shrimp. A good mix of plant and protein keeps colour and condition up.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eGive it space above all — a long tank with plenty of caves, wood, rockwork and plants to break up territory and provide retreats. It is hardy and adaptable in clean, well-filtered water with moderate flow. Provide a secure lid, as it can jump. Be honest with customers: this is a spirited fish that needs room and careful tankmate choice, so it rates intermediate rather than beginner.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eRarely bred in home aquaria. Commercial production relies on hormone induction in ponds, and the species' territoriality makes natural home spawning very difficult. It is not a realistic breeding project for the average aquarist.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEpalzeorhynchos bicolor\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLongfin Red Tail Black Shark\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSelectively bred; wild species from Thailand (extinct in the wild)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAround 12–15 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6–10 years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSemi-aggressive; territorial (keep one only)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntermediate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e150 litres\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e200 litres or more (length matters)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOmnivore (algae, prepared, frozen and live foods)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e22–26 °C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6.5–7.5\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5–15 dGH (soft to moderately hard)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable (freshwater)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntermediate keepers; larger community tanks with robust tankmates\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYes — grazes algae but does not usually damage established plants\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eRobust, active mid- and upper-water fish that stay out of its territory: larger tetras, barbs, danios, rainbowfish, gouramis and peaceful medium cichlids. Give plenty of space and cover.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eOther red tail or rainbow sharks, and similar bottom-dwellers such as loaches and other territorial catfish — it will bully them. Also avoid timid, slow or long-finned fish it can harass, and never keep two of these together.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232877822243,"sku":"BA9334-S","price":11.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232877855011,"sku":"BA9334-M","price":15.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55232877887779,"sku":"BA9334","price":20.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/longfin-red-tail-black-shark-epalzeorhynchos-bicolor","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}