Freshwater Fish
Rainbow Shark.
A dark-bodied shark with fiery red-orange fins — sleek, fast, and territorial. Striking as a single specimen with semi-aggressive tankmates and plenty of caves in a 55-gallon-plus tank. Best as the only shark in the tank.
We keep this species at our Erie store. Come and see it in the tanks, or call (814) 456-9445 and ask what we have in right now.
Sea Cave keeps this species. You will find these in the tanks at 660 East 14th Street in Erie. We never ship live animals.
- Condition
- new
- Fulfillment
- Local pickup — Erie, PA
We never ship fish, coral, or invertebrates — every animal here is one you meet in person. Each one is acclimated and health-checked in-house before it goes out into the display tanks. This is a species we keep, and what is swimming on any given day changes with the deliveries, so please call (814) 456-9445 before you drive in.
Care at a glance
What to know before you take one home.
- Care level
- Intermediate
- Temperament
- Semi aggressive
- Community
- Semi community
- Adult size
- 6"
- Min tank size
- 55 gallons
- Diet
- Omnivore
- Scientific name
- Epalzeorhynchos frenatus
Good tank mates
The rainbow shark is semi-aggressive and territorial, so it needs similarly-sized, not-timid tankmates and is not a fit for a peaceful nano community. Keep just one rainbow shark per tank, since they fight their own kind and other sharks. Good company is sturdy mid- and upper-water fish like larger barbs, danios, and rainbowfish that stay out of its space near the bottom. Avoid other bottom-dwellers it will claim territory against, plus small timid fish and long-finned fish it may chase. Give it plenty of caves to break up sightlines.
Good to know
The rainbow shark isn't a true shark at all but a member of the carp and minnow family, named for its shark-like body shape and high dorsal fin.
What is in the tanks and each animal's temperament vary — call (814) 456-9445 for pairing advice.
Good tankmates
Plays well with.
Species we’d keep in the same tank, with why each pairing works. What is in the tanks and each animal’s temperament vary — call (814) 456-9445 for advice on pairing.
New to stocking a tank? Read our guide on which fish live together.
Tiger Barb
Active, robust mid-level schoolers that don't compete for bottom territory and are large and fast enough to avoid sustained harassment from the shark. Tiger Barbs' notorious fin-nipping behavior is primarily directed at slow-moving, long-finned fish — not a Rainbow Shark's standard finnage. Must be kept in schools of 6+ to keep intraspecies nipping dominant over outward aggression.
Zebra Danio
Fast upper-to-mid water column swimmers that stay well out of the shark's bottom territory and are too quick to be successfully harassed. Temperature ranges overlap fully (Danio 64–82°F, Rainbow Shark 72–79°F), and multiple authoritative sources confirm this as a well-documented compatible pairing.
Harlequin Rasbora
Tight-schooling mid-to-upper level fish completely uninterested in the bottom zone. Water parameters align well (pH 6.0–7.5, temp 72–81°F). Widely confirmed across multiple reputable sources as one of the cleanest Rainbow Shark tankmate choices.
- B
Boesemani Rainbowfish
Active, fast mid-level schooling fish that occupy the middle-to-upper water column, well clear of the shark's bottom territory. Their robust size (4–5 inches) means the shark cannot predate on them, and their speed prevents sustained harassment. Water parameters overlap at neutral pH.
Visit the store
660 East 14th Street,
Erie, PA.
Mon–Fri 12–6 · Sat 11–4 · Sun closed. Call ahead on livestock — what's on the floor rotates.