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Genus

Epalzeorhynchos

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Species
4
Photographed
4 of 4
Difficulty rated
4 of 4

Where the name comes fromEdit

From Epalzeo-, which has an unconfirmed derivation and meaning but is often reported incorrectly to denote 'curative' (it may actually mean 'horn' in reference to a cone-shaped protuberance on the snout of Epalzeorhynchos spp.), and the Ancient Greek ρυνχος (rhynchos), meaning 'snout, beak'.

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

The red-tailed black shark, Epalzeorhynchos bicolor, is a cyprinid native to central and western Thailand, in the Mae Klong and Chao Phraya basins. Declared extinct in 1996, it was found again in 2011 and 2014 and is considered critically endangered, while all fish in the trade are commercially produced. It becomes increasingly territorial as it grows, especially towards similar-looking species, and can live for over 15 years.

Moderate
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 rainbow shark, Epalzeorhynchos frenatum, is a cyprinid reportedly native to Thailand, Laos and Cambodia. Recorded from the Mae Klong, Chao Phraya and Mekong basins, many of its wild populations have dwindled or vanished, and large numbers are farmed for the trade, including an albino and an anerythristic form sometimes misidentified as E. munense. It becomes increasingly territorial as it grows and can live for over 15 years.

Moderate
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

The flying fox, Epalzeorhynchos kalopterum, is a cyprinid from southern Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia and the Greater Sunda Islands. Fishes sold as 'false flying fox' or 'Siamese flying fox', such as Garra cambodgiensis and Gyrinocheilus aymonieri, are often confused with it, but it has white-edged red and black fins and two pairs of barbels. It grows increasingly territorial with age and can live for over 15 years.

Moderate
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

Epalzeorhynchos munense is a cyprinid from the Mun river and other tributaries of the middle Mekong in Thailand and Laos. It resembles E. bicolor and E. frenatum but has a black head, body and anal fin, red caudal and dorsal fins, and black margins on the pelvic and pectoral fins. A record from the Tonlé Sap system may refer to E. frenatum.

Moderate