| 1. Conservation Status |
|---|
| Scientific Name | Epalzeorhynchos bicolor |
| Common Name | Red-tailed Black Shark |
| Family | Cyprinidae |
| IUCN Status | Extinct in the Wild (EW) |
| Origin | Chao Phraya Basin, Thailand |
| Notes | All surviving individuals descend from historic captive stocks; genetic diversity must be protected. |
| 2. Natural Habitat & Ecological Notes |
|---|
| Historical Habitat | Clear–turbid rivers; moderate flow; high oxygen; sand/gravel/rock substrates; shaded margins. |
| Juveniles | Shallow, slower margins. |
| Adults | Territories around caves, roots, rockwork. |
| 3. Water Chemistry Requirements |
|---|
| Temperature | 25–27°C |
| pH | 6.0–6.6 |
| GH | 2–6 |
| KH | Low |
| TDS | 80–150 ppm |
| Flow | Moderate, high oxygen |
| Lighting | Subdued; avoid bright light during spawning |
| 4. Social Structure & Behaviour |
|---|
| Temperament | Semi‑territorial cyprinid |
| Dominance | Males defend caves/root tangles |
| Breeding Groups | 8–12 adults in 250–300L+ |
| Habitat Needs | Complex hardscape to break line‑of‑sight |
| 5. Conditioning Protocol |
|---|
| Duration | 3–4 weeks |
| Diet | Blackworms, mosquito larvae, Daphnia, krill, prawn mince, spirulina pellets |
| Environmental Stability | No large water changes; pristine water; moderate flow; avoid stressors |
| 6. Spawning Strategy |
|---|
| Method | Substrate‑selective egg‑scatterer |
| Sites | Undersides of rocks, caves, root tangles, crevices |
| 7. Spawning Triggers |
|---|
| Dry Season (2–3 wks) | 27–28°C, reduced water changes, slightly elevated TDS |
| Trigger Event | 10–20% cool soft water change; increased flow; dim light; botanicals |
| Timing | Usually 2–4 hrs after lights‑on |
| 8. Eggs & Incubation |
|---|
| Clutch Size | 300–600 eggs |
| Egg Type | Adhesive, translucent |
| Incubation | 36–48 hrs at 26°C |
| Light Sensitivity | Prefer dim/tannin‑stained water |
| Notes | Remove adults to prevent predation |
| 9. Larval Development |
|---|
| Day 0–2 | Attached to substrate; yolk absorption |
| Day 3–4 | Free‑swimming; microfoods required |
| Day 5–14 | Rapid growth; feed 4–6× daily |
| 10. First Foods & Feeding Schedule |
|---|
| Stage 1 (Day 3–7) | Infusoria, rotifers, greenwater |
| Stage 2 (Day 5–14) | Microworm, small Artemia, powdered fry foods |
| Stage 3 (Week 3–6) | Crushed spirulina, fine pellets, Daphnia, BBS |
| Stage 4 (6+ weeks) | High‑protein pellets, frozen foods, occasional live foods |
| 11. Grow‑Out Requirements |
|---|
| Tank Size | ≥200L by week 2–3 |
| Flow | Moderate; strong filtration |
| Water Changes | 10–15% daily or every other day |
| Density | Overcrowding causes stunting; aggression increases with size |
| Habitat | Caves, roots, visual barriers |
| Culling | Select against deformities, poor tail colour, excessive aggression |
| 12. Genetic Management |
|---|
| Key Practices | Maintain multiple lines; avoid sibling pairings; exchange broodstock; keep lineage records; avoid colour morph mixing |
| 13. Conservation Notes |
|---|
| Threats | Habitat loss from dams, agriculture, urbanisation |
| Status | No confirmed wild populations remain |
| Goal | Maintain genetically diverse captive metapopulations |
| 14. Recommended Breeding Setup |
|---|
| Tank | 250–300L group tank |
| Substrate | Sand + rocks + caves |
| Flow | Moderate |
| Water | Soft, acidic, oxygen‑rich |
| Group | 8–12 adults |
| Trigger | Cool water change + increased flow |
| Egg Care | Remove adults |
| Fry | Microfoods → Artemia → pellets |
| Grow‑Out | Large tank; frequent water changes |
