Page 77 - Encyclopedia of Aquarium and Pond Fish, 3rd Edition

CYPRINIDS 75

Epalzeorhynchos bicolor Epalzeorhynchos frenatus
Red-Tailed Shark Red-Fin Shark The white form of the Red-Fin Shark is now widely
available. It retains the reddish fin markings, but the body
ORIGINS Southeast Asia, occurring in Thailand, notably ORIGINS Southeast Asia, being restricted to northern is mostly whitish or transparent.
in the central area of the country. parts of Thailand. Whitish body
SIZE 6 in (15 cm). SIZE 6 in (15 cm).
DIET Flake and small live foods. DIET Flake and small live foods. Red eyes
WATER Temperature 72–79°F (22–26°C); soft to hard WATER Temperature 72–77°F (22–25°C); soft to hard
(50–150 mg/l) and acidic to neutral (pH 6.0–7.0). (50–150 mg/l) and acidic to neutral (pH 6.0–7.0).
TEMPERAMENT Intolerant of its own kind. TEMPERAMENT Relatively peaceful.
One of the more colorful cyprinids, this fish can be
Forked distinguished at a glance from its red-tailed tolerant of their own kind than Red-
caudal fin
relative (see left) because all its fins are reddish in Tails, so they can be bred more easily.
color. Red-Fin Sharks require an aquarium The females swell with eggs, laying
incorporating suitable retreats, such as a clay up to 4,000 at a single spawning.
flowerpot set in the substrate, and some The resulting young are soon
floating plants at the surface to create large enough to feed on
dappled lighting. These fish are more brine shrimp.
The velvet-black body of these cyprinids is offset
by the bright red coloration of the tail. Females are
larger than males, and their caudal fin is not as
brightly colored. Breeding in the typical home
aquarium is unrealistic because of their aggressive
nature. A single fish in a community is unlikely to
be disruptive, but avoid tankmates with a similar
coloration, since they may be attacked. Young
Red-Tailed Sharks are silvery at first, gaining their
red caudal fin when about seven weeks old.

Osteochilus vittatus
ON THE ALERT
Golden Bony-Lipped Barb Golden markings are apparent on the bodies of
Fish rely on a range of senses to locate food, these barbs, which grow to a large size and need
including smell, sight, and touch. There are ORIGINS Southeast Asia, from Thailand across the Malay spacious accommodation. There is no visual
significant differences in the sensory Peninsula to parts of Indonesia and Borneo. difference between the sexes. Golden Bony-Lipped
equipment and capabilities of different SIZE 12 ⁄2 in (32 cm). Barbs thrive in groups. They use their strong lips to
1
groups, and even of individual species DIET Flake and small live foods. dig around in the substrate in search of food and
within groups. Most cyprinids, such as the WATER Temperature 72–77°F (22–25°C); soft (50 mg/l) will uproot plants that are not set in pots. Should
Red-Fin Shark pictured here, have paired and acidic (pH 6.0–6.5). they start to nibble the plants, you may be able to
sensory barbels. These help the fish find edible TEMPERAMENT Peaceful. deter them by offering foods such as spinach.
items in the substrate, keeping the eyes free
to detect approaching predators. The barbels
may not be conspicuous in some cyprinids
because they keep them folded back along
the side of the face, giving the fish a more
streamlined shape when swimming.

US_074-075_Cyprinids.indd 75 29/08/18 4:09 PM