This species probably lives a solitary lifestyle in nature, and have only come into contact with others of its own kind during the spawning season, therefore it should be kept alone in the aquarium. Do not keep them with similar-looking fishes, such as Epalzeorhynchos bicolor or Labeo chrysophekadion, because they will constantly fight. An aquarium with base measurements of 120x45 cm should be the smallest considered for a single specimen, with larger quarters necessary for a group, each individual is likely to require a territory with a diameter of at least a metre. It is also often sold as an algae-eater and while it does browse on algae it does not do so with the same efficacy as some Crossocheilus species, and there is little worth in purchasing it with that purpose in mind. Rainbow sharks are good tank bottom cleaners, they consume leftover fish food, but also eat the algae growing off surfaces. They are not recommendable to the new aquarist.

Sexually mature females are noticeably fuller-bodied than males, but it is impossible to sex juveniles accurately. Males should also have a dark marginal edge on their anal fin.

Their breeding in a home aquarium is not possible, but large numbers are produced for the ornamental trade in Far Eastern fish farms with the aid of hormones. The specimens in the hobby are almost exclusively coming from these farms, wild fishes are almost certainly unavailable.