{"product_id":"rainbow-shark-epalzeorhynchos-frenatum-5cm","title":"Rainbow Shark Epalzeorhynchos Frenatum 5cm","description":"\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOverview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Rainbow Shark (Epalzeorhynchos frenatum) is a sleek, torpedo-shaped cyprinid with a dark charcoal body and vivid red-orange fins, giving it a striking shark-like look. It comes from the Mekong and Chao Phraya basins of Thailand, Laos and Cambodia. Bold and territorial, it suits larger robust community tanks kept by experienced hobbyists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eAdult Size:\u003c\/em\u003e Around 13–15 cm (5–6 in)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eLifespan:\u003c\/em\u003e 8–10 years, sometimes longer\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eNative to:\u003c\/em\u003e Mekong, Chao Phraya and Mae Klong basins, Indochina\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eHabitat:\u003c\/em\u003e Sandy and rocky river beds, entering flooded plains seasonally\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFeeding\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eDiet:\u003c\/em\u003e Omnivorous, natural algae and detritus grazer\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003ePreferred Foods:\u003c\/em\u003e Sinking pellets, algae wafers, bloodworm, Daphnia, blanched spinach, cucumber\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eFeeding Habits:\u003c\/em\u003e Feed once or twice daily; include regular vegetable matter\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTank Mates\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eBest with:\u003c\/em\u003e Robust shoaling barbs, danios, rainbowfish, larger tetras, upper-level swimmers\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eAvoid:\u003c\/em\u003e Other rainbow or red-tail sharks, flying foxes, plecos, loaches, slow bottom-dwellers\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAggression \u0026amp; Behaviour\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eTemperament:\u003c\/em\u003e Semi-aggressive, increasingly bold with age\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eTerritoriality:\u003c\/em\u003e Strongly territorial over the lower tank; keep one only\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eExperience Level\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eDifficulty:\u003c\/em\u003e Intermediate\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eChallenges:\u003c\/em\u003e Aggression to similar fish; needs space and caves\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater Parameters\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eWater Type:\u003c\/em\u003e Freshwater, neutral, soft to moderately hard\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eTemperature:\u003c\/em\u003e 22–26°C (72–79°F)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003epH:\u003c\/em\u003e 6.5–7.5\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eHardness:\u003c\/em\u003e 5–15 dGH\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eFlow:\u003c\/em\u003e Moderate, well oxygenated\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eTank Size:\u003c\/em\u003e Minimum 200 litres; 120 cm long for a single adult\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFinal Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJuveniles are shy but grow into confident, territorial adults, so plan for a long tank with caves, driftwood and broken sight lines from the start. Keep only one, and avoid similar-shaped bottom fish. Despite its reputation it is not a reliable algae eater and needs proper feeding. Juveniles cannot be sexed; mature males show a dark edge to the anal fin. A characterful centrepiece for the right tank.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"SimsTF","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":64680667775353,"sku":"STF-SHARK-RAINBOW","price":5.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1026\/3124\/4153\/files\/STF-SHARK-RAINBOW.png?v=1790096913","url":"https:\/\/birchwoodaquatics.myshopify.com\/products\/rainbow-shark-epalzeorhynchos-frenatum-5cm","provider":"Birchwood Aquatic Centre","version":"1.0","type":"link"}