{"product_id":"red-tail-black-shark-epalzeorhynchos-bicolor","title":"Red Tail Black Shark | Epalzeorhynchos bicolor","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Red Tail Black Shark is pure drama — a jet-black body finished with a single blood-red tail — and a bold, territorial streak to match. Striking and hardy at around 12–15 cm, it is best kept one to a tank with robust, fast tankmates that can shrug off its bossiness.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eEpalzeorhynchos bicolor comes from the Chao Phraya basin of Thailand, where it lived in clear streams and flooded forests. It is now considered extinct or nearly so in the wild, and all aquarium stock is farm-bred. It naturally grazes surfaces for algae and biofilm in warm, flowing, well-oxygenated water.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eA sleek, shark-shaped fish with a velvety matte-black body, an upright dorsal fin and a vivid red-orange tail that stands out dramatically against the dark body. The contrast is at its best in healthy, unstressed fish; colour can fade with poor conditions or stress. It is not a true shark, but its shape earns the name.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eSemi-aggressive and territorial, it defends a patch of the tank and is especially hostile to its own kind and to similar-shaped fish, so keep only one. It works in a robust community with fast, mid-to-upper water fish that stay out of its way. Provide caves and broken sight-lines to ease tension.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAn omnivore that grazes and scavenges. Offer a quality sinking pellet or wafer as a staple, supplemented with algae or vegetable-based foods and occasional frozen or live treats such as bloodworm and brine shrimp. It will help control algae but should not rely on it alone.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eProvide a minimum of around 120 L, with 200 L or larger better to give it territory and its tankmates space. Keep temperature at 22–27 °C, pH 6.5–7.5 and GH soft to medium, around 5–15. Provide good filtration, some current, hiding places and a secure lid. It is plant safe, though it may rasp at soft algae-covered leaves.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eBreeding in the home aquarium is very rare; commercial stock is produced on farms with the aid of hormones. It is an egg-layer, but its territorial aggression makes pairing in a normal tank extremely difficult, so home breeding is not a realistic prospect for most keepers.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003ctable\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEpalzeorhynchos bicolor (formerly Labeo bicolor)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRed Tail Black Shark\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eChao Phraya basin, Thailand (now farm-bred; extinct in the wild)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e12–15 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5–8 years with good care\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSemi-aggressive (territorial)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBeginner to intermediate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e120 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e200 L or larger\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOmnivore: sinking pellets, wafers, algae and vegetable foods, occasional frozen and live treats\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e22–27 °C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6.5–7.5\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSoft to medium, around 5–15 dGH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable (freshwater)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRobust community and planted aquariums (one per tank)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003c\/table\u003e \u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eSuitable tank mates include larger tetras, barbs, danios, rainbowfish, rasboras and other fast, robust mid-to-upper water fish that keep clear of its territory.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAvoid keeping with other red-tail or rainbow sharks, similar-shaped or bottom-dwelling fish it will bully, slow long-finned species, and timid nano fish. One shark only per tank.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232877134115,"sku":"AA2037-S","price":10.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232877166883,"sku":"AA2037","price":15.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55232877199651,"sku":"AA2037-L","price":20.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/red-tail-black-shark-epalzeo-43091556368675-lv.webp?v=1790307471","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/red-tail-black-shark-epalzeorhynchos-bicolor","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}