Rainbow shark

A natural Albino variant of the rainbow shark

A variant GloFish modification of an albino rainbow shark, termed “Galactic purple”

The albino red-fin shark or albino rainbow sharkminnow is a variety of rainbow shark with a white body and red/orange fins.[3][5][6] It closely resembles "normal" rainbow sharks in temperament and appearance, thus they share the same common names in the aquarium industry.[7] These have sometimes been referred to as E. munense, but that is a separate species that rarely enters the aquarium trade.[2][8][9] The rainbow shark is also one of the types of genetically modified, fluorescent fish known as GloFish.

A ghost shark

Another variant that exists is a rarer form, often referred to as the “ghost sharkminnow”. Its appearance is otherwise identical to the typical rainbow shark, however its fins are white, and almost transparent

Rainbow sharks are tank-bottom and aquarium-surface cleaners. Being bottom- and mid-level dwellers, they consume leftover fish food, but also eat the algae growing off surfaces. They are known to be peaceful with their own kind in the wild but have been known to be aggressive with one another if kept together in a tank. Threat displays and fighting are likely to occur. This fighting behavior involves head-and-tail butting, and also biting.. A large rainbow shark will continuously chase a smaller one until the smaller one dies, or chase other fish out of its territory, especially in confined environments like aquaria. It may also increase the risk of the fish jumping out of its tank. This makes breeding difficult. The provision of hiding places and hollowed decors such as plants or artificial cave-like and tunnel-like aquatic ornaments minimize this typical behavior. Due to this behavioral characteristic among its own kind, rainbow sharks are not recommendable to the new aquarist. Keeping them with relatives, such as red-tailed sharks, bala sharks and black sharks should be avoided, as they will chase and attack them as well.[3][4]

An adult rainbow shark thrives in a minimum of 55 gallons of water, with an aquarium length of 48 inches, at the neutral pH range (6 to 8 pH), with temperatures between 24 and 27 °C (75 and 81 °F), and water hardness maintained at 5 to 11 dH. They must have this much space, as they frequently swim around quickly and will terrorize other fish in any tank under this size.[3][6][11]

Rainbow sharks are compatible with barbs and rainbowfish, which are upper- and middle-tank dwellers. They can also live with danios, loaches, plecos, rasboras, and gouramis. They can be housed with some species of larger freshwater shrimp although any fry or eggs might get eaten by the shark. They are not compatible with smaller, more timid fish in the tank, as the sharks may terrorize them by chasing them from their territory.[3][6]

Rainbow sharks are picky herbivorous and omnivorous eaters but are primarily consumers of algae in the form of flakes. They also eat live foods, such as insect larvae, tubifex worms, periphyton, crustaceans, phytoplankton, zooplankton and aquatic insects. Diet also include lettuce and spinach.[3][4] They will also eat frozen bloodworms and brine shrimp.

No actual breed sequence has been documented in an aquarium setting. Although known to be egg-layers, reproduction of rainbow sharks is difficult in an aquarium setting.[3][12] Large numbers are bred in southeast Asian commercial farms.[8]