Red Tail Shark - (No Online Purchases)

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The Red Tail Shark is a striking freshwater fish admired for its deep black body, vivid red tail, and active, confident personality. Despite its shark-like appearance, the Red Tail Shark is actually a member of the carp family and is native to freshwater environments in Southeast Asia.

With their dramatic colour contrast and energetic swimming behaviour, Red Tail Sharks make an impressive addition to larger community aquariums. However, they can become territorial as they mature, particularly towards their own species and other bottom-dwelling fish, so careful planning of the aquarium and tank mates is important.

Quick Facts

Common Name: Red Tail Shark
Scientific Name: Epalzeorhynchos bicolor
Family: Cyprinidae
Origin: Thailand
Care Level: Moderate
Temperament: Semi-aggressive and territorial
Diet: Omnivore
Minimum Tank Size: 120 litres
Adult Size: 12–15 cm
Lifespan: 5–8 years

Appearance

The Red Tail Shark has a sleek, elongated body with a dark black to charcoal colouration that contrasts dramatically with its bright red or orange-red tail.

Their dorsal, anal, and pelvic fins are generally dark in colour, while the vibrant tail provides the characteristic appearance for which the species is named. Healthy specimens often display intense colouration, particularly when settled into a suitable aquarium.

Red Tail Sharks have a streamlined body and pointed fins that give them a distinctive shark-like profile, although they are not related to true marine sharks.

Temperament

Red Tail Sharks are active, confident fish that can become strongly territorial as they mature. They generally establish a preferred territory around caves, driftwood, plants, or other structures and may chase fish that enter this area.

They are usually best kept as a single specimen unless housed in a very large, carefully structured aquarium. Keeping multiple Red Tail Sharks together in a standard home aquarium can result in persistent aggression and stress.

Suitable tank mates include:

• Corydoras
• Larger peaceful tetras
• Rasboras
• Gouramis
• Rainbowfish
• Larger peaceful barbs
• Bristlenose Catfish
• Peaceful loaches
• Other mid-water community fish

Avoid keeping them with:

• Other Red Tail Sharks in smaller aquariums
• Similar-looking territorial sharks
• Highly aggressive cichlids
• Very slow or delicate fish
• Fin-nipping species
• Other strongly territorial bottom dwellers

Aquarium Requirements

A spacious aquarium with plenty of structure is ideal for Red Tail Sharks. Use driftwood, rocks, caves, and robust plants to create territories and visual barriers.

They are active swimmers and appreciate open areas where they can move freely, while caves and shaded areas provide places to retreat and establish territory.

Strong filtration is recommended because Red Tail Sharks are active fish that benefit from clean, well-oxygenated water. Water movement can be moderate, provided there are also calmer areas where the fish can rest.

A secure lid is recommended, as active fish can occasionally jump when startled or during maintenance.

Recommended Water Parameters

Temperature: 22–27°C
pH: 6.5–7.5
Hardness: 5–15 dGH

Red Tail Sharks adapt to a range of conditions but should always be introduced to stable, mature aquariums. Avoid sudden changes in temperature or water chemistry.

Diet

Red Tail Sharks are omnivorous and benefit from a varied diet containing both plant and animal-based foods.

Recommended foods include:

• High-quality sinking pellets
• Algae wafers
• Spirulina-based foods
• Vegetable-based pellets
• Frozen bloodworms
• Frozen brine shrimp
• Daphnia
• Mysis shrimp
• Blanched zucchini
• Blanched cucumber
• Shelled peas

Providing regular vegetable-based foods is particularly beneficial because Red Tail Sharks naturally graze on algae and other food sources throughout the aquarium.

Feed appropriately sized portions once or twice daily and remove uneaten food to help maintain excellent water quality.

Behaviour

Red Tail Sharks are energetic and constantly active fish. They spend much of their time exploring the aquarium, grazing on surfaces, and patrolling their established territory.

As they mature, their territorial behaviour can become more pronounced. They may chase or display towards other fish that enter their preferred area, although they rarely cause serious problems in a suitably planned community aquarium.

Providing multiple caves, plants, and pieces of driftwood can help break up lines of sight and reduce aggression between tank inhabitants.

Breeding

Breeding Red Tail Sharks in the home aquarium is extremely difficult and is rarely achieved under normal aquarium conditions. Commercially available Red Tail Sharks are generally produced through specialised breeding facilities.

They are egg-laying fish, with spawning involving the release of eggs and milt into the water. Successful breeding requires specialised conditions and careful management, making it an unsuitable project for most beginner aquarists.

Why Choose Red Tail Sharks?

• Striking black-and-red colouration
• Active and entertaining personality
• Attractive shark-like appearance
• Excellent algae grazer
• Hardy once established
• Works well as a feature fish in larger community aquariums
• Suitable for a wide range of peaceful community fish

Care Tips

Provide a Red Tail Shark with a spacious, mature aquarium containing plenty of caves, driftwood, rocks, and plants to establish territories and provide security. Keep only one specimen unless you have a very large aquarium specifically designed to accommodate multiple territorial individuals.

Choose tank mates carefully and avoid combining them with other strongly territorial bottom-dwelling fish. Provide a varied diet containing both algae-based foods and protein-rich foods, and maintain clean, well-oxygenated water with regular water changes.

A well-planned aquarium with plenty of structure and suitable tank mates will allow the Red Tail Shark to display its natural behaviour while remaining a spectacular centrepiece of the community aquarium.