Rainbow Shark Care Guide - My Favorite Community Fish 

Do you keep rainbow sharks?

I had an albino one that lived for eight years in my 35 gallons, eating mostly sinking wafers. It was unusually gentle for a shark, never chasing other tank mates, which were mostly tetras, swordtails and mollies. Baby swordtails felt safe being close to it, while he was the biggest fish in the tank.

I LOVE rainbow sharks. And red tail sharks foo. I’ve never had a tank big enough for one. Some day.

I just rescued a tank today that has a rainbow shark ,thank you for the video very informative

I had one for 12 years, and it would live even longer if my aquarium water heater wouldn't fail. Crazy resistant fish i love it. His company was a Raphael cat fish that was even older.

I had an albino rainbow shark for many years called Rambo. He swam around the tank so gracefully, and he was pretty aggressive too. Rambo is still my all-time favorite fish ❤

It's a great fish I have had mine for over 7.5 years and shows no signs of slowing down. It has however gotten more aggressive over the years, I remember when my rainbow would share food with my corries but that didn't last. It's still a great fish I just keep it with tetras and he has reign over the entire bottom of the tank. Eats everything even flakes from the surface and the best part is watching them graze around all of the tank surfaces and algae from live plants. Just keep an eye out for the aggression as they mature around the 4-5 year mark.

I had one for about 5 years. Awesome fish but man was it a mean sucker.

Love my rainbow shark he has mood swings but is usually pretty chill

My Albino Rainbow is pretty relaxed. At times, he only “chases,” more so shoos away, my Pineapple Sword and Female molly. Those are literally the only two fish he shows aggression towards. It’s usually when they go near his cave. Love watching him try to eat from the surface, as he refuses wafers and everything else.

I used to have a 125 with a red tail shark, albino rainbow, regular rainbow and a platinum rainbow with a ton of mbuna. Worked great I wish I had video this was like a decade ago. There was so much aggression in that tank but everyone was healthy and happy for the most part.

Have one in my cichlid community tank. It sure keeps its ground. Fit in well with african cichlids

Rainbow sharks are so cool I’ve always wanted them

dont need advice on keeping them. Just clicked cause Im glad someone else appreciates them

This is an awesome video. I just bought a rainbow shark yesterday. Its new home is a 55 gallon aquarium with tank makes, including 8 black mollies, 7 cherry barbs, 6 giant danios, 5 silver dollars, 5 cory catfish, 3 firemouth cichlids, 1 three spot gourami and 1 opaline gourami.

I've got three of these in a 20gallon tall tank and have had them In there for about a year. Two of them are 5+inches the third is about 4. They rarely chase each and over all seem happy

I have a 75 gallon with red tail shark and 4 rainbow sharks with a bala shark in together and they play a little bit but they don’t kill each other lol. Got them all as babies so I think they just grew up well with each other

I used to have one in my 10g😔 but now I’m getting one for my 55

i bought a rainbow shark yesterday!!!

I just got 2 of these today with a clown pleco. I got a 55 gallon planted on well water I hope the hardness dont kill them. They are beautiful

Thank you for this wonderful tutorial! I got into fishkeeping a couple years ago, and recently my boyfriend was also bit by the bug. He really wants the Rainbow Shark so this video was a great intro. Completely unrelated question--how does one find a table strong enough to hold a 75 gallon tank? I have a 30 gallon right now but I know at 75 gallon would be too much. Any recs?

Same here bro.may favorite fish rainbow shark..

I love mine he is almost full grown my first fish. 6 months old. Oden is his name

I have 2 in my 55gal tank and there by far my favorite.

I have a rainbow shark, albino rainbow shark, red tail shark and also 2 balas sharks...all started out as tiny babies in a 60 gal...once they got to be a year old I had to move them out of the tank..and seperate them all except the balas ..they get along great

I just got a rainbow shark. It’s a really awesome fish!

Is it possible to put corydoras and rainbow sharks in the same tank?

I have one and he's real sass I named him lurr because he lurks so much I also have a video on my channel of him

Just bought 2 of them there awesome add to the community

Your tank is beautiful. Where did you get your driftwood? Did you purchase it or find it and treat it? Looks amazing and very well set up.

Yes

The shark in the thumbnail was pooping lol

I've have 2 rainbows and 2 balas in the same tank and mine are very relaxed and not even entertained each other

Just got my first rainbow shark. Called him Dio after the singer. Not very big. Couple plecos. Plenty of Cory cats and a few guppy’s. And one Otto. He does chase my guppy’s a little bit no major issues so far. I do plan on getting a bigger tank soon. Currently in a 30. So far so good. But am expanding soon.

I love the GloFish Galactic Purple rainbow Shark.

I have 12 in my pond with 1 bala shark. They get along pretty good

I have an albino rainbow shark with 3 Bala sharks they get on fine but my Balas were established first and 7 inches so that may be a factor.

I have 1 albino rainbow shark, 6 guppies, 2yellow tetras and a female betta. They're cool no aggression happens

I am going to buy one

I have far less common ghost shark at around 6 inches and he is pretty chill with everyone except my 3 inch rainbow. He will chase him into a corner. I’ll have to monitor then once the rainbow catches him in size.

I just got 2 rainbow sharks and 3 cichlids. Will see how it goes

can this work in a 55 gallon tank - 1 rainbow shark - 15 tiger barbs and 6 Kuhli loaches ?

The Petco I go to has a limit of 2 in a tank and have the three tanks

I have 2 in a 40 gallon breeder and albino one and a regular but it's a turtle tank

I currently have one in a community tank with blue gouramis and swordtails. It's definitely more aggressive than I expected, but the aggression is only occasional and is usually directed at the gouramis. Neither group seems to show any stress from the chasing.

What if you grow up two rainbows together will they still not get along?

I was thinking of getting a rainbow and a bala shark. I like them both and don’t know which way to go if I only can have one

I love how my rainbow shark eat the algae in the aquarium all day

have a 1200 gallon tank with almost 40 tiger barbs and a small pleco. Tank has white sand and live plants. Added one 3 inch rainbow shark to help with algae cleaning duties. Was worried that the barbs might nip the shark... but surprised, they're actually afraid of him! The shark has claimed a part of the aquarium as it's territory. Would have liked to add more rainbows to the tank, but I heard this type of fish does not like company of it's own kind.

Could I keep a sorority of 3 female bettas with an albino rainbow shark in a 55 gallon? Tons of plants and hardscape. Rainbow shark’s territory is in a sand cave under a decoration whereas my bettas are mid/top water. Lots of hornwort and floating plants. If the fins of the bettas make the rainbow shark mad, I obviously won’t. I was just wondering if anyone had any input.

Would 1 rainbow shark and just him be ok in a 20 gallon tank. It would have lots of plants and hiding places

White cloud minnows need to be in your aquarium!

They get a bad rap but they are super effective tank cleaners.

Thanks for this Guide. I used to have a cool rainbow shark a few years ago. He grew to be 4-5 inches and had him for a couple of years but sadly though my family had to move and we gave him to a school teacher who kept him in his tank with guppies. The kids loved seeing my rainbow shark. He died shortly after my family moved though and I haven't owned a fish since then but maybe soon I'll be getting another one and watching this video showed me some things I did wrong but will do better if I ever plan to get another rainbow shark in the future.

Ok so I have two. I was asking the ppl at the pet store for fish that will help clean the leftovers from my turtle and they suggested the rainbow shark and Cory catfish. So I have both and just noticed the two rainbow sharks fighting so I looked it up. I really wish they would have employees who know more about these things but I guess I should have done some research. Anyway, thanks for the information.

Guys, I'm planning to buy Rainbow shark or Albino Hammerhead shark I'm thinking if it is safe to put it together with Yellow Shrimp? please send me some advices. thanks

Mine is chill as fuck. I have one in a 55 and he is with a couple tiger barbs and albino corydoras.

which fishs can the Rainbow shark be put together? Red Bees, Mollies, Guppies, Neons ?

Hi from Australia. I have 3 rainbow sharks. One is the older adult [12 years old] and the other two are 3 years old. They are beautiful fish, who live in a colony with black widow tetras and a few danios. I didn't know that they may generally live to up to and around 8 years of age. My older rainbow shark must be rather unique give his age? Is 12 years old exceptional or not surprising to you if they are kept in the ideal environment? I have only just come across your terrific videos ;)

Get along with bristlenose plecos?

Do rainbow sharks like to hide?? I just bought one in my 55 gallon tank and I a bit of little caves and plants 🌱 but I put it in and now I don’t see it nowhere I even lifted the things to check if it was still there and nothing . Can you guys help I’m getting a bit worried I just bought it.

Mine can be very aggressive and as ripped the tail off of one if my Cory's and killed it and is now chasing my Gold barbs around its in a tank with 2 gold barbs 2 Cory's and a senegal bichir

Would a rainbow shark be ok with some semi-large discus?

I bought 1 brought it home put it in the 55 gallon tank wit 15 mixed community fish it died 2 days later. Any idea why?

Do they do well with angels? And also,that's a dumb question.. Is the red tail shark more agressive than the rainbow shark?

Just got my first red tail yesterday and already its my favourite in the tank, one question though, mine seems to have a very up right fin, any idea why?

What other fish would you recommend putting one with

Would a single rainbow shark be a ok for my 55gal tank that will have 10-15 harlequin rasboras, 10 kuhli loaches, 8 oto's, and some snails

I have a ram bow shark

my sharks are pretty peaceful and I managed to fit 2 sharks in 55 gallons there may be 2 1/2 inches but they love going in and out of plants and we have this shipwreck in the tank and they love hiding behind it.

If I was to get a rainbow shark. Should I get one only or a pair or a couple? I’ve heard they’re pretty territorial...

i have a redtail shark quite small. and want to get a rainbow shark the same size. i was thinking if i get them when there both small that when there bigger they will get along. i also built two caves out of rocks one for each

I didn't realize I needed a big tank, I got one a little less than a week ago and I only have a 10 gallon. It's a baby rn but it's so mean to my other two fish. :(

My Rainbow shark is the king of in my tank

Something keeps biting the tail fins off my guppies. I can’t determine which fish it is. It happens once the lights go out

Mine is 10 years old

i have a albino rainbow shark .

@BayAreaAquatics hey man love your setup. I’ve recently got a young one. However there is Kuhli loaches and a bristlenose who are in the tank as well (66G) would they be an issue?

Ya got one name it Sharkey

Im about to set up a 55 with one rainbow shark and 4 angelfish. Super excited! May also add two gouramis or two rainbowfish... Still unsure. What two do you think would work better? :)

How you feed them tho just algea will get come up to get food

My shark eats my other fish sometimes what do I do?

my rainbow shark has 3 roseline sharks also they seem to get along so far. we shall see when they get older.

Hey cool advice

Hi bro do we need oxygen filter for rainbow sharks cause I brought few today but didn't have filter at the moment

A question bruh did you ever see your rainbow shark eat during feeding .... its been a month since i got procured one but i never saw him eat

Would they attack my iridescent sharks?

I've only had one tank that didn't have a Ranbow shark. And that was because it was saltwater.

I have a rainbow shark that is a very light, tannish colored color, and I am just wondering if he'll ever color up? Are they generally lighter colored when they are young?

It's good you mention that their territorial specifically with fish with a similar morphology. I can't imagine bala/silver sharks being an issue to be honest specifically more mature individuals as their quite different appearances and the adults do reach some size, I was donated one adult individual and it's quite some size. I've been tempted for a while to take in an adult unwanted shark, particularly the red tailed black shark, Epalzeorhynchos bicolor but as that species is critically endangered and for a while presumed extinct I don't really want to fund them being brought into stores.

Are siamese algea eaters a good tank mate?

Can anyone help me with an issue?

I have one he about 3 inches

How can I feed my rainbow shark or what can I feed?

Very beautiful video! I love this fish and it's one of the reason to get a tank! But I have buy Molly and Gabby, and from pet shop tell me there is not a good idea to get a rainbow shark because it's Hunter... But I see to your video you have a rainbow shark with mollies... And I saw and baby mollies! They don't have problem? he's not eating the babies? Because someone is in store tell me he hunt and eat your small fish... Is it true? Or I can get one without problems??

Hi! I've recently grown interested in the aquascaping hobby and I was even more recently given an adult red finned shark by a friend of mine looking to rehome him. She had been keeping him in a 10 gal tank on his own and I upgraded him to a 40 gal as I did some research before bringing him home and learned that 10 gal was NOT sufficient. Here's my dilemma. I'm trying to figure out how to scape his tank and I don't know what kinds of plants/hardscape I should put in. I was leaning toward just rocks and plants, but seeing the wood in your shark tank has me thinking he'd be more comfortable with the extended range of cover. What would you recommend for low tech plants and appropriate hardscape for a 40 gal tank? Also, I'm not planning on putting more community fish in there with him necessarily, but I'm not opposed to it. If that was something possible given the tank size, and I decided to do so, what species('s) would you recommend and how many? I imagine they would need to be small and quick, but I'm still not terribly familiar with what are good species for these guys in community settings. He's shown aggression to my friend's community tank fish but i'm not sure how big that tank was or what fish they were. So they might've just been ill suited to each other. He's awfully shy and I'd like to create a more comfortable space for him and maybe entice him out with some quick fish to chase around if that's what it takes. Thank you for your advice in advance. I appreciate this chance to learn more about tank building and these amazingly beautiful fish. :)

I have two babys in my new 250 gal one is albino (yes im getting more fish) will they be okay ?

Just a update I talked to Aqua-tropics(my local specialty fish store)&they told me that 4 Glow-sharks should get along just fine in a 30 gallon long Aqaurium due the fact that they only get 4"long so I'll be looking to get 4 Sunburst-orange Sharks to add as the cleaning crew for my Asian hill-stream biotype community Aquarium!

I want one!!!

Why do my shark die what can the reason be help me please