Epalzeorhynchos bicolor – Labeo bicolor
Epalzeorhynchos bicolor can reach a length of about 15 centimeters. This large fish stands out because it is completely black, except for its tail, which is bright red. Its barbels also stand out, it is very streamlined and a fast swimmer. The difference between male and female is not visible.
Synonyms: Labeo bicolor, Epalzeorhynchus bicolor. Their common name is Redtail Sharkminnow and you will often find them still called them Labeo bicolor.
Character
They are very territorial, it is best to keep only 1 specimen in the aquarium, certainly not 2. If you want to keep more of them, keep them at 7 pieces or more, the more the better. If you only keep two of them, they will be constantly fighting.
You will usually find Epalzeorhynchos bicolor – Labeo bicolor on the bottom looking for food, occasionally they will swim up. They are usually peaceful towards other species, except algae eaters, which they can often react strongly against. So keep them together with fish that swim in the middle and upper water layers.
Life expectancy
The Epalzeorhynchos bicolor – Labeo bicolor can reach an age of about 5 to 8 years.
Origin
The Epalzeorhynchos bicolor better known as the Labeo bicolor comes from Thailand. Originally they were found in the Mae Kong River. They inhabit the middle and at the bottom of freshwater streams and rivers, mainly in areas with rocks and/or plants where they can shelter to rest or hide.
Diet
The Epalzeorhynchos bicolor – Labeo bicolor is an omnivore, it eats mosquito larvae, daphnia, brine shrimp but also spirulina flakes. Artemia brings out the red color of its tail better. Vegetable food in particular should not be missed. Supplement with flakes and granules. Make sure that some of the food ends up on the bottom.
The Aquarium
The Epalzeorhynchos bicolor – Labeo bicolor requires an aquarium of at least 1 meter. Furnish the aquarium with plants on the edges and a sandy bottom or very fine bottom substrate. Create sufficient hiding places with stones, driftwood and coconut halves and provide plenty of free swimming space. Some dim lighting makes this fish less shy. There may also be some current in the water.
Water parameters
Temperature: 20-26 degrees Celsius.
PH: 6-7,5
GH: 8-16
In nature, fish have to deal with fluctuating temperatures. Keeping fish at the minimum or maximum temperature for a long time is not always desirable and can shorten the average lifespan of the animals.
Breeding
Epalzeorhynchos bicolor breeds in rocky burrows. The eggs hatch after 30 to 60 hours. Four days after hatching, the young can swim freely, but do not develop the characteristic red in the tail until they are older than 7 to 10 weeks.
Preservation
IUCN: Critically Endangered (CR); Due to changes in its habitat in the 1970s, its numbers in the wild have declined dramatically. They are bred in captivity in Thailand for the aquarium trade.
Video
Author
Coby – Ron DeCloux
Copyright images
John de Lange
Hristo Hristov
References
fishbase www.fishbase.org/summary/Epalzeorhynchos-bicolor.html
Encyclopedia of life http://eol.org/pages/1015624/details
ARKIVE http://www.arkive.org/redtailed-black-shark/epalzeorhynchos-bicolor/
Ron’s WordPress shortlink http://wp.me/p1DZ4b-16X
