Labeo bicolor (Epalzeorhynchos bicolor)

The Labeo bicolor, alias Epalzeorhynchos bicolor or Rainbow Shark, is a great option if you want to give your aquarium a burst of brilliant color. This eye-catching fish is popular with both beginning and seasoned aquarists due to its daring appearance and energetic behavior. This species, which is native to Southeast Asian rivers, is distinguished by its vibrant color contrast and vivacious nature, which can add a dynamic touch to any tank.

The Labeo bicolor has a distinctive and striking appearance due to its striking red and black coloring, which makes it particularly identifiable. Growing older causes the color contrast to intensify, which makes it stand out in any aquatic arrangement. In addition to being very attractive, this fish is also very lively, frequently darting around the tank and taking in its surroundings. Your aquarium will become much more interesting and active as a result of this lively behavior.

But Labeo bicolor maintenance calls for some care. They need special care to keep them healthy and happy, and they thrive in well-kept tanks with lots of swimming space. Creating the ideal habitat for these magnificent fish will be made easier if you are aware of their requirements regarding food, water quality, and tank mates. Your Labeo bicolor can be the vibrant and eye-catching focal point of your aquatic environment with the correct care.

Habitat and Environment

Asia: Thailand’s Chao Phraya Basin.

This species, which inhabits the Mae Klong, Chao Phraya, and Bangpakong rivers that flow into the northern portion of Siamese Bay, is indigenous to central and western Thailand.

Tiny tributaries, lakes, and streams with flowing water that have branches, big stones, and sand as their substrate.

Enlisted in the Red Book and deemed vulnerable. The building of dams on rivers and extensive commercial fishing are to blame for the population decrease.

These days, every fish sold is farmed commercially, most likely using hormones.

Description

The body is long and has a little side flattening. There is a curvature to the back. The eyes are big and red, and the head is tiny. Horny villi envelop the lower mouth, which has two pairs of antennae shaped like a sucker-scraper. Large and well-developed fins are present. Dorsal fins are pointed and elevated.

The tail contrasts sharply with the body’s rich black color. An albino form is also available.

Size:

The fish rarely grow larger than 10–12 cm in captivity; in nature, they are roughly 20–25 cm in size.

Behavior and compatibility

Territorial: A group will always have a leader who is able to swim someone else’s territory as well as defend his own. It is best to keep them individually, and to prevent interspecies conflicts in a school, you will need a very large aquarium with lots of shelters.

It is not advised to keep fish that are similar in color. Labeo will act aggressively, viewing them as members of its own species. Compatible with gourami, angelfish, botia, barbs, big tetras, danios, and other active but non-aggressive species.

To avoid claiming the entire area, it should ideally be the last aquarium addition.

Aquarium

You will require an aquarium for upkeep at the rate of 80 liters per adult.

In terms of ornamentation, this species is rather unassuming and shouldn’t damage plants with softer leaves. It will feel fantastic in an aquarium with a substrate made up of pebbles, larger boulders, and stones of all sizes that are rounded by water, much like a river flowing through it.

Driftwood and aquatic plants that can be grown tied to the decor, like Thai fern, Bolbitis, or Anubias, are other options. The growth of algae and associated microorganisms, upon which the fish will land, will be facilitated by bright lighting.

Water parameters:

In the range of 22 to 27 °C pH range: 6.0 to 8.0 St RESS: 15 ° DGH maximum

Aeration-based filtering, with a weekly replacement of the fifth part of water.

Extremely sensitive to abrupt changes in the chemical composition and temperature regime of water, and quite intolerant of the buildup of organic waste.

Nutrition

Takes in any kind of feed. A profusion of plant foods is required, such as salad leaves, nettles, cucumber, zucchini, and spinach pieces. You can occasionally add glass that is covered in algae to the aquarium. Feed, both frozen and live, aids in preserving color intensity. As an animal component, motyl, koretra, daphnia, artemia, and the tube are appropriate.

It should first consume algae, tiny crustaceans, insect larvae, etc.; afterwards, it should be regularly fed small live and frozen foods like bloodworms, daphnia, and brine shrimp in order to preserve the color’s intensity. In addition to high-quality pellets, fresh plant material, and dry flakes.

Slicked fruit, blanched zucchini, cucumber, peas, and spinach are all excellent additions to the dish.

The Labeo bicolor, also called Epalzeorhynchos bicolor or the rainbow shark, is a colorful fish that looks great in a lot of home aquariums. This species is visually striking and offers fascinating behavior for fish aficionados to watch thanks to its unique color patterns and lively temperament. It is, however, best suited for seasoned aquarists who can provide an appropriately spacious and well-maintained tank environment due to its territorial tendencies and particular care requirements. To ensure that the Labeo bicolor flourishes and continues to be a unique feature in any aquarium setup, it is essential to comprehend these requirements.

Sexual Dimorphism

Men are brighter in color and slimmer. A convex line on the abdomen and a prominent ovipositor help identify females. Some females have a brick-colored tail instead of a bright red one.

One to two years is the age of sexual maturity.

Breeding

They haven’t been bred in private aquariums as far as we know. On industrial farms, a great deal of them are bred with artificial hormones.

In a home aquarium, breeding is a very problematic process. This is because of the size of the spawning tank—which needs to hold at least 400–500 liters—and the requirement for hormone injections.

The spawning tank has a variety of plants and shelters with strong flow and aeration.

The spawning aquarium’s water parameters are 27–29 °C, 4-5 dH, and 6.5-7 pH.

The female and two or three males are housed apart prior to spawning, and they should only eat live food.

The female can lay between 1000 and 3000 1.5 mm greenish eggs. The moment the eggs are removed, they should be destroyed by the producers.

12 to 16 hours are spent incubating the eggs. On the fifth day after hatching, the larvae transform into fry, which can swim and eat their first meal, which consists of boiled yolk, rotifers, phytoplankton, and live dust.

Fry have a 50% mortality rate in the first two weeks, but those that survive grow rapidly—by the time they are one month old, they are already 3 cm in size.

Breeders of Labeo bicolor prepare the animals for release into their native environments.

The average lifespan is greater than ten years.

In conclusion, the Labeo bicolor, sometimes referred to as the Rainbow Shark or Epalzeorhynchos bicolor, is a fascinating addition to any freshwater aquarium. It is a distinctive species due to its eye-catching red fins and sleek black body. To maintain its health and happiness, prospective owners should be aware that it requires a large swimming area and a well-managed environment.

Given their reputation for lively and occasionally aggressive behavior, these fish might not be the greatest fit for a tank containing smaller or more subdued species. Any aggressive tendencies can be subdued by keeping a well-planted tank and plenty of hiding places for them. To keep these fish in optimal condition, a balanced diet and routine tank maintenance are essential.

In the end, if its needs are satisfied, the Labeo bicolor can be a rewarding fish to raise. It can bring beauty and excitement to your aquarium with its vibrant colors and dynamic behavior. This fish can flourish and grow to be a cherished member of your aquatic ecosystem with the correct setup and maintenance.

Video on the topic

Labeo (Epalzeorhynchos bicolor) and garra (Garra cambodgiensis) and garra doctor (Garra rufa) fighting.

Labeo bicolor (Epalzeorhynchos bicolor) and denison barbs (Sahyadria denisonii)

Labeo two -tone or bicolor – large and drury (latch. Epalzeorhynchos bicolor)

Labeo bicolor or laboy two -tone (Epalzeorhynchos bicolor)