Can rainbow sharks live with rosy barbs?

Verdict
Yes

Yes. Rainbow sharks and rosy barbs make a good pair. Both are fine at 72–77°F. Plan on at least 55 gal.

Rainbow sharkRainbow shark72–80°F · pH 6.5–7.5 Rosy barbRosy barb64–77°F · pH 6–7.5

Why it works

Water side by side

55°60°65°70°75°80°85°90°Both: 72–77°Rainbow shark 72–80°Rosy barb 64–77°
The green band is the temperature range both can live in.
456789Both: 6.5–7.5Rainbow shark 6.5–7.5Rosy barb 6–7.5
The green band is the pH both tolerate.

Size to scale

Rainbow shark · 6 inRosy barb · 4 in0"1"2"3"4"5"6"
Adult length in an aquarium. A fish can swallow anything that fits in its mouth, roughly a third to half its own length for predators.

Care at a glance

Rainbow sharkRosy barb
Temperature72–80 °F64–77 °F
pH6.5–7.56–7.5
Adult size6.0 in4.0 in
Minimum tank55 gal30 gal
TemperamentSemi-aggressiveSemi-aggressive
Swims atBottomMiddle
GroupOne per tankGroups of 6+
DietOmnivoreOmnivore

Better tank mates for rainbow sharks

All rainbow shark tank mates

Better tank mates for rosy barbs

All rosy barb tank mates

Questions

Can rainbow sharks live with rosy barbs?

Yes. Rainbow sharks and rosy barbs make a good pair. Both are fine at 72–77°F. Plan on at least 55 gal.

What temperature suits both rainbow sharks and rosy barbs?

72–77 °F. Rainbow sharks need 72–80 °F, rosy barbs need 64–77 °F.

What size tank do rainbow sharks and rosy barbs need together?

At least 55 gal, set by the rainbow shark. Add space for each extra fish.