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Genus

Epalzeorhynchos

Species
4
Photographed
4 of 4
Difficulty rated
4 of 4
Subadult individual.

Epalzeorhynchos bicolorRed-Tailed Black Shark

Smith, 1931

Max length
125mm SL5in SL
Tank
120 × 45cm48 × 18in
Temp
20–26°C68–79°F
pH
6.0–8.0

Most members of Epalzeorhynchos were formerly regarded as Labeo spp. and are thus referred to as such in older literature. According to Rainboth (1996) they're characterised by absence of a dorsal spine, possession of 10-13 branched dorsal fin rays, a thin membrane connecting the upper and lower lips and rigid, freely moveable rostral lobes. Epalzeorhynchos itself has undergone some quite recent changes with a handful of species hav...

Easy
Subadult specimen from the aquarium trade.

Epalzeorhynchos frenatumRainbow Shark

Fowler, 1934

Max length
150mm SL6in SL
Tank
120 × 45cm48 × 18in
Temp
20–26°C68–79°F
pH
6.5–8.0

The ornamental albino variant is widely-available and has become extremely popular in the hobby and there is a commercially-produced anerythristic (lacking red pigment) mutation that has pale yellowish fins and has sometimes been misidentified as E. munense. Also worthy of note is that the specific name is sometimes misspelled 'frenatus'. Most members of Epalzeorhynchos were formerly regarded as Labeo spp. and are thus referred to as such in older literature. According to Rainboth (1996) they're characterised by absence of a dorsal spine...

Easy
Subadult specimen from southern Thailand.

Epalzeorhynchos kalopterumFlying Fox

Bleeker, 1850

Max length
160mm SL6in SL
Tank
120 × 45cm48 × 18in
Temp
20–26°C68–79°F
pH
6.0–7.5

Confusion with similar-looking fishes from other genera, such as Garra cambodgiensis, laterally-striped Crossocheilus spp. or Gyrinocheilus aymonieri is not uncommon, and are largely attributable to the use of trade names such as 'false flying fox' or 'Siamese flying fox'. When compared with the other species E. kalopterus exhibits several unique characters but perhaps the simplest way to identify it is by the characteristic white-edged, red and black coloured fins and the presence of two pairs of barbels.

Easy
Young specimen of Epalzeorhynchos munense. Note the combination of red pectoral and caudal fins which distinguish this species from E. bicolor and E. frenatum.

Epalzeorhynchos munense

Smith, 1934

Max length
120mm SL5in SL
Tank
120 × 45cm48 × 18in
Temp
20–26°C68–79°F
pH
6.5–7.5

This species does not appear to be in the aquarium hobby at time of writing though it may have been in the past, when exports of wild Epalzeorhynchos spp. still took place. Most members of the genus were formerly regarded as Labeo spp. and are thus referred to as such in older literature. According to Rainboth (1996) they're characterised by absence of a dorsal spine, possession of 10-13 branched dorsal fin rays, a thin membrane...

Moderate