Epalzeorhynchos frenatus

Rainbow Shark- Epalzeorhynchos frenatus

Habitat Sandy bottoms of rivers

Range Areas of Southeast Asia in Thailand and Indonesia

Description Greenish black coloration with bright orange fins. Long slender body with the mouth turned down.

Ecological Notes Also known as the Red-Finned or Ruby shark. Prefers moderate to hard water. The water should be clean with a good filteration system and plenty of oxygen. Rainbow sharks prefer optimal temperatures ranging between 72 and 82 degrees fahrenheit.

Personal Information This specific Rainbow Shark caught my attention when I first walked into the North Carolina Aquariums. The color of the fins were as distinct color of orange that was a rare color on a fish that I have ever seen.

Journal Articles To read more on Epalzeorhynchos frenatus and how Streptococcal bacteria infections in the rainbow shark can cause economic losses in fish production please see:

 Russo, Ricardo, Hugh Mitchell, and P.E. Yanong. Characterization of Streptococcus iniae isolated from ornamental cyprinid fishes and development of challenge models. Aquaculture. Volume 256, Issue 1-4, pgs. 105-110. Jan.2006.

To read on how other parasitic infections have caused a decline in freshwater tropical fish in Korea please see:

 Kim, Jeong-Ho, and Craig James Hayward, et. al. Parasitic infections in live freshwater tropical fishes imported to Korea. Disease of Aquatic Organisms. Volume 52, pgs. 169-173. Nov. 22, 2002.

Information obtained from: Aqua-Fish.net. tropical freshwater aquarium fish. (2005-2010).

 Squido.com. Squido, LCC. (2010).

Contributed by Ta'Lissa Wright - 2010

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