Rainbow sharks, as bottom dwellers, can be very sensitive to changes in water parameters and stressed out easily by their tank mates, making it essential to select compatible tankmates for them.
Zebra danios make excellent tankmates for rainbow sharks as their peaceful nature will not upset or provoke their aggressive nature. Bristlenose catfish and rubberlip plecos can also make excellent choices.
Angel Fish
Angel fish are popular aquarium species and make an excellent addition to both freshwater and saltwater tanks. Though generally small in size, angel fish can sometimes reach quite large sizes; their unique appearance features shimmering scales that resemble wings.
Angelfish inhabit tranquil bodies of water in South American freshwater river basins, feeding on both plants and animals for sustenance. Because these omnivores may eat smaller aquarium fish such as neon tetras, it's important to provide plenty of hiding spaces within your tank to reduce risk.
Aquarium tank fish tend to be peaceful creatures; however, during breeding or spawning they may become aggressive and territorial. They prefer tall plants with plenty of hiding spots and warm tanks with soft water temperatures for breeding purposes.
Black Skirt Tetras
Black Skirt Tetras are peaceful creatures, generally living harmoniously with most tank mates; however, take special caution if keeping them with long-finned fish as these species have a tendency to nibble them or may become aggressive towards other tetras in the tank.
These fish typically prefer water conditions with an acidity range from slightly acidic to neutral and an optimal pH level between 6.5-7.5, and an ideal water temperature range between 72 and 82degF.
Black Skirt Tetras are omnivorous fish, so they need a wide range of foods in order to thrive. Their diet may consist of frozen and freeze-dried flakes, fresh or frozen brine shrimp, worms or live spirulina. Female Black Skirt Tetras tend to darken their color during breeding cycles while males can be differentiated by having narrower anal fin front edges and rounder bodies than their counterparts.
Zebra Danios
Zebra Danios (Danio rerio) are hardy and stunning fish that bring vibrant colors into any aquarium environment. Perfect for beginners, these versatile species adapt well to most conditions in most tanks.
These active, schooling fish are best kept in schools of their own kind; however, they will tolerate fast-moving community species as well. Dither fish such as these can help ease tensions between tankmates while encouraging more playful behavior from shy or territorial tankmates.
Surface dwelling fish such as these require plenty of room to swim; long tanks with strong current are an ideal environment. Decorated aquariums with aquatic plants providing shelter are also welcomed; this species of fish has proven itself remarkably adaptable; even under conditions which would stress out weaker tankmates.
Rasboras
Rasboras are playful fish with lively personalities. Their vibrant hues range from pinkish-orange to silver, and feature distinctive black spots - making them visually striking! Rasboras prefer swimming in groups and make an excellent tankmate for rainbow sharks as they do not show territorial behavior or aggression against bottom dwellers, yet may eat small invertebrates and algae that reside there.
Harlequin Rasboras are popular aquarium fish species known for their distinctive wedge-shaped marking along their body. Schooling fish such as Harlequin Rasboras do best in groups of at least six. Lambchop Rasboras (WCMMs) make an excellent addition to peaceful top-middle level aquariums and often cohabitate well with rainbow sharks.
Odessa Barbs
Odessa barbs are remarkable powerful swimmers for such small fish thanks to their compact anal fin and pyramid-shaped dorsal fin, along with their vertical black stripe along their side - something common among Loricariid fish species.
Odessa barbs are generally peaceful fish that get along well with most tank mates; however, they may become territorial when living alongside slow-moving or long-finned species. To maximize their happiness in captivity, Odessa barbs should be housed together in groups of at least five fish with similar colorations.
Odessa barbs are omnivorous fish that enjoy feeding on both live and frozen foods such as bloodworms, brine shrimp, tubifex worms, daphnia, etc.
Tiger Barbs
Tiger barbs are active schooling fish that will nip at the fins of slower-moving tank mates if given enough room. Though aggressive in small groups, these schooling fish do not bother other inhabitants in larger tanks if given enough space.
These fish are natural gobblers and will devour most types of omnivore food. Feed your tubifex worms, daphnia, mosquito larvae or brine shrimp live foods to ensure all fish get a bite.
Males in spawning condition or battle for dominance in a shoal may show vibrant red stripes above their predominantly black dorsal and ventral fins; females may show pale red areas on the tip of their dorsal fins instead.
Bee Shrimps
Caridina logemanni, more commonly known as Bee shrimps, are small crustaceans that feed by foraging on aquarium substrate. As they are omnivorous creatures they may also be fed commercial foods designed specifically to feed this species.
Active fish enthusiasts, they can often be found moving around their tank searching for food. Although suitable to house with other small- to mid-sized species, it is advised not to house with larger species that view them as prey.
Bee Shrimp thrive in waters between 65-74 degrees Fahrenheit. They prefer acidic waters with pH values between 6.0 - 6.4 and hardness levels (dKH) between 3 - 6.
Rainbow Fish
Rainbow fish, often described as "kaleidoscopes in water," feature an abundance of colors. Shoalers such as these shoaler-shoalers can be kept with similarly sized non-aggressive species like tetras, rasboras, danios and Otocinclus catfish without fear of aggression from either species; courtship and spawning behaviors may lead to some natural aggressive behavior within a community tank environment.
Rainbow fish don't do well as solo pets; instead, they prefer living in groups of five or more. To stay healthy, rainbowfish require freshwater tanks with stable pH and GH levels as well as hiding places and an assortment of plant life. As one point in The Rainbow Fish story suggests, you could help him make friends! Roleplay inspiration: In one scene of The Rainbow Fish tale, he feels isolated in his ocean home - how could you help him find companions?
