| Red-tailed black shark | ||||||||||||||
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 A Red-tailed black shark
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| Epalzeorhynchos bicolor (Smith, 1931) |
The red-tailed black shark, Epalzeorhynchos bicolor, also known as the redtail shark, is a species of freshwater fish in the carp family, Cyprinidae.
In nature
Red-tailed black sharks are originally from Mae Klong River in Thailand, but may already be extinct in the wild, and are therefore listed on the Red list of endangered animals.
In an aquarium
Red-tailed black sharks have incredible colors and can easily become the centerpiece of any aquarium. These fish are territorial and hostile. They can be kept in community tanks with care. They are also very intolerant of others in their species or similar species in general. However, many of the cyprinid sharks, including the Red-Tail, can be kept in groups if the aquarium is very large, there are plenty of hiding places in the aquarium, and three or more individuals are purchased at a time. Nonetheless, many of the so-called "sharks" are best left to more experienced aquarists. [1] In home aquaria, red-tailed black sharks prefer a pH between 6.5 and 7.5, a temperature between 72 °F and 76 °F (22 °C to 24 °C).[1] Red-tailed black sharks can reach a length of 17 cm, and can live up to the age of 15 years.[1]
References
- Kottelat (1996). Epalzeorhynchos bicolor. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 11 May 2006.
- Epalzeorhynchos bicolor (TSN 639588). Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Accessed on 24 January 2006.
- "Epalzeorhynchos bicolor". FishBase. Ed. Ranier Froese and Daniel Pauly. 10 2005 version. N.p.: FishBase, 2005.
