FreshWater Sharks in Your Fish Tank
These Fish are Not Appropriate for Every Aquarium Hobbyist
Sep 24, 2009
The fish sold as sharks for freshwater aquariums are actually from the same families as barbs and catfish. These fish include the Bala, Red Tail, Columbian, Iridescent, and Pangasius Hi-Fin sharks. Most of these fish are not suitable for community aquariums, and the latter should be avoided altogether.
Bala, Tri-Color, or Silver Shark
These Asian fish like temperatures of 22º-27º C and need well-filtered water with lots of current. They are not aggressive, but are skittish and prone to jump out of an uncovered aquarium. Since they are from the same family as barbs, they are shoaling fish (as most barbs are), and should be kept in groups of 3 or more. Bala sharks can grow up to 14 inches, so they need a fairly large tank (50 gallons) to be comfortable.
Red Tail Shark
The Red Tail shark is probably the most common fish sold as a shark in the aquarium trade. There are many fish that are similar to the Red Tail shark, such as the Rainbow, Red Finned, and Black shark. These fish all exhibit similar behavior, come from Asia, and need the same aquarium conditions.
Red Tail sharks look cute when they are sold as 1 1/2 inch babies, but as they age, they get more and more belligerent to other fish in the tank. Once they reach their 5 inch adult size, they constantly nip the fins of docile tank mates, and may harass them to the point of death. Red Tail sharks should only be kept with other semi-aggressive or aggressive fish.
These fish need temperatures of 22º-26º C, and like well-planted aquariums. Red Tail sharks should have a piece of wood or rock in their tank. These decorations will provide them with shelter, as well as give them an area that they can claim as their own. If a Red Tail shark has its own territory to patrol, then it is less likely to lash out at other fish.
Columbian Shark
The Columbian shark is from South America and the Southern United States, and is definitely not for beginners. These catfish are born in freshwater, but to thrive, they need to be acclimated to brackish water. As they reach their adult size of 14 inches, they need a full saltwater aquarium to survive. These fish like temperatures of 22º-26º C, and need at least a 75 gallon tank.
Iridescent or I. D. Shark
The Iridescent shark has unfortunately been a staple in the aquarium trade for many years. This catfish can reach 4 feet in length, and therefore needs a very large aquarium to survive. Iridescent sharks come from waters in Asia that range from 22º-26ºC.
Do not buy this fish if you can not house it. A retailer that offers I.D. sharks up for sale is questionable, as very few hobbyists can accommodate the needs of this catfish. Sadly, the only way to get stores to stop selling these "tank-busters" is if aquarists stop buying them.
Pangasius Hi-Fin Shark
The Pangasius Hi-Fin shark is from the same family as the Iridescent shark, so it is really a catfish. It is also a "tank buster," as it can reach 8 feet. Though these fish are omnivorous, they are voracious eaters. In Asia, these fish have been known to eat dog carcasses. These fish should never, ever be purchased for the home aquarium.
A freshwater shark can be an interesting addition to an aquarium, as long as it does not get too aggressive, or outgrow the tank. As with any new purchase, the hobbyist should research the aquarium fish they want to keep beforehand.
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