You also want to make sure they’re the LAST addition to a tank to cut down on bullying and harassment. They are grazers so that they will be happiest in tanks with plenty of live plants and algae-covered substrates. Red-tails take their shark name to new levels. To avoid such behaviors, you need several Balas. However, none of them make it into the aquarium trade! To help protect the species, please buy captivity-bred individuals. Freshwater sharks typically have torpedo-shaped bodies, pointed dorsal fins, and forked tails. Elmer's Aquarium. Iridescent sharks share ancestry with the Mekong giant catfish (Pangasionodon gigas). Some of the most famous and most common freshwater sharks are the Bala shark, the red-tailed shark, the rainbow shark, and the black shark. The Red Tail Shark is one of the most common freshwater aquarium sharks; it is widely available and offered with some distinctive variations. Freshwater Sharks. Freshwater “Sharks” are loved by many hobbyists who love to keep sharks as their pet sea animals and they are normally found in every aquarium as they are affordable. The shining scales with contrasting black borders make them attractive additions to many aquarists. (Your fingers are safe). While not the most challenging freshwater shark to care for, Colombians throw aquarists a twist. While beginners might find the colors and shapes of juveniles attractive, they’re often unprepared for the final adult length of their new shark acquisition. The Harlequin Shark is the most unusual of all the freshwater shark species. Sharks are primarily marine animals (there are only five known freshwater species) that are extremely difficult to keep in captivity due to their size, appetite, and migratory nature. Before buying a freshwater aquarium shark, make sure you do the following things: Though freshwater aquarium sharks aren’t related to the sharks you see on Shark Week, they nonetheless seamlessly capture the silhouette and spirit of their marine counterparts. No relation to marine sharks, these curious fish make a wonderful addition to the semi-aggressive aquarium by adding a great deal of personality and character. Taylor has over ten years of experience keeping freshwater and saltwater aquariums in both laboratory and personal settings. The tank size requirements defy an average aquarist’s capabilities. They only reach 6″ long as adults, and therefore can thrive in a much smaller tank (55 gallons) than most of the species on this list. Freshwater sharks are big appetizers, they eat big and grow big. The most common variant is in tail color, which can range from a vivid red to almost pure orange. Rotating between frozen and live foods improves their color and growth. However, while their name is bright and cheery, their personalities are not. 4005 William Penn Highway Monroeville, Pa 15146 Bala Sharks are schooling fish that are happiest in schools of 3-6 individuals. Pair them with fish that occupy the middle and upper water columns. You’ll want at least six in the group. The tank size requirements defy an average aquarist’s capabilities. If you get a puncture, run your hand under water as hot as you can stand. Basically Freshwater sharks are carnivores. The biggest challenge with Rainbow Sharks is finding them tankmates that they can tolerate. Freshwater Sharks are hardy … 12 Freshwater Aquarium Sharks and Tank Setup Read More » While you might get away with keeping a single silver Apollo in a smaller tank, they ARE schooling fish. People that select Chinese High-Fins gravitate toward the juveniles. You can feed them any type of food including food pellets, blood worms, crickets, pieces of meat, and live fishes. Even a single fish needs hundreds of gallons/liters worth of swimming space to stay active and healthy. The vivid red fins stand out against the midnight black body, and coloration persists into adulthood. If you introduce it to the group, it will kill the others. Fishtankadvisor.com does not intend to provide any kind of veterinary suggestion. As someone who is immediately emotionally-invested in every marine creature she encounters, Taylor is excited to use her experience and expertise to help new aquarium hobbyists create the best environment possible for their fish and invertebrates. These types of shark fish resemble real sharks with their shark-like body shapes, behaviors and fins. Its population has been impacted by industrial-level farming and unregulated poaching. Rainbow Sharks: Cousin to the red tail and the black tail sharks, the rainbow sharks share a similar temperament with their close cousins. The shark is almost extinct in Thailand, but it … Looking for Marine Sharks? However, they are also challenging fish that should not be purchased by the faint of heart. Black Shark Minnows, also known as Black Labeos, are one of the most stereotypical sharks in the group. Harlequin sharks WILL attack more defenseless catfish without a second thought. As long as they are given plenty of space and plenty of food, these behemoths are relatively easy to care for and can be the perfect companion for any lifelong aquarist. It is another small shark species (reaching only 6″ in length at adulthood) that gets progressively more aggressive and territorial as it matures. No one quite knows where the “shark” label came from. If you’re looking for a fish that looks and acts like a marine shark, you cannot do better than the Black Shark Minnow for your freshwater aquarium. These freshwater sharks look great in an aquarium because they have different colors to attract your eyes. The black shark minnow is another stunning addition to your freshwater aquarium filled with small sharks. Colombian or hi-fin sharks prefer slightly higher pH and alkalinity and benefit from the addition of up to 1 tablespoon of aquarium or sea salt per gallon. Let us know by commenting here! If you have your heart set on a freshwater shark but don’t want to invest in a gigantic aquarium, rosaline sharks fit the bill. Chinese High-Fin Banded Sharks are peaceful grazers that can be easily assimilated into tanks with fish of all sizes. One word of warning: When purchasing a Silver Apollo Shark, double-check the species name! If you opt for a black sharkminnow, make sure it’s the LAST fish you add to the aquarium. Careful research of your species is crucial. Therefore, they are best housed with other large fish or with bottom-dwellers who will stay out of their way. Siamese Algae Easters are inexpensive, peaceful sharks that will get along with almost any tankmates. The Redtail Shark, also known as the Redtail Black Shark is great for the semi-aggressive community aquarium, as long as they are the sole sharks and the other tankmates are of similar size. The average beginning aquarist doesn’t have that kind of tank at their disposal. While these species have significant tolerances for temperature and pH, they require pristine water conditions. They’ll attack each other, other sharks, and catfish without hesitation. Freshwater sharks typically have torpedo-shaped bodies, pointed dorsal fins, and forked tails. The rest of the shark is a velvety black color. If you are looking for a unique bottom-dwelling fish to round out your community, look no further than the Harlequin Shark. The Long-Finned Apollo Shark (Luciosoma spilopleura) is frequently mislabeled as the Silver Apollo Shark because they are nearly identical when juveniles. The Bala Shark, also known as the Tricolor Shark, the Tricolor Shark Minnow, the Shark Minnow, and the Silver Shark, is a silver fish with black lined fins. They do best with fish species that schooler in the upper water columns of the tank, such as tetras or barbs. However, they are predators, so it’s important to make sure their tankmates aren’t too small, or they will quickly become the Silver Apollo Shark’s next meal. One thing all aquarists agree on is the massive size these freshwater fish attain. Development along the Chao Phraya River in Thailand, where red-tails come from, has led to the near-extinction of the species. The amount of variance is even shorter. Adults reach a staggering 36 inches (91cm) when full-grown! As this species prefers to hang out along the bottom, the coloring makes perfect sense. There are six species of sharks that venture into freshwater: the bull shark and five species of river shark from the Glyphis genus. However, your shark will probably arrive from a commercial fish farm. Chinese High-Fin Banded Shark (Myxocyprinus asiaticus), 10. See more ideas about aquarium sharks, shark, aquarium. Keeping Freshwater Aquarium Sharks Freshwater sharks that will work well for the home aquarium aren’t actually classified as sharks, but types of minnows and carps from the Cyprinidae family. Not so much. As the name suggests, they are white and yellow fish with bold black and red lines running the length of their bodies. With a cave or grotto to call their own, Rainbow Sharks will defend their area, thereby leaving the rest of the tank for your other species. A Silent & Reliable Canister Filter: Which Brand to Trust? Harlequin Sharks are found in river systems, so they prefer tanks with significant water flow. While freshwater sharks may snatch up a tank mate without hesitation, these species are omnivores. However, as they grow, their strong dorsal fins and forked tails do bring to mind the melody of Jaws. When housed in groups of four or less, the fish tend to stray towards hierarchical infighting. Nothing’s cooler than boasting you keep sharks, but those bragging rights come with a lot of responsibility. However, as the juvenile quickly grows, it undergoes a “reverse-ugly-duckling” transformation; the fish loses its bright coloration and becomes a cigar-shaped brown fish with a strong, elongated dorsal fin. Make sure you have a tight fit, so no one ends up on the floor! The content of this website is not meant to be a substitute for professional medical advice. The Red-Tailed Black Shark is similar to the Rainbow Shark in both habitat requirements and temperament. Bala sharks make frequent appearances in pet stores. Read the label carefully when you buy your sharks. The Columbian shark, commonly known as a black fin shark, is frequently described as a freshwater tank fish but this is not entirely accurate. However, they don’t stay small and cute for long. one of the reasons beginners should avoid freshwater sharks, 1. The high, arched back and sail-like dorsal fin of the Chinese High-fin Banded Shark gives it the most striking profile of any of the shark species. When placed in the right aquarium with the right tankmates, these incredible species will elevate both the aesthetic and atmosphere of any freshwater aquarium. Aquarium Shark Diet. However, their added size brings added challenges; make sure you’re up to the task before you buy! If you’re looking to add a freshwater shark to your established freshwater aquarium without a lot of additional costs or time commitment, this is the shark for you. Rarely do sharks come from the wild anymore. With few exceptions, freshwater sharks require MAMMOTH aquariums! Most species prefer warmer waters, but there are exceptions. A selection of different foods keeps these sharks happy: Freshwater sharks might not pose a risk to fingers or toes that dip into the aquarium. Though juvenile Black Shark Minnows can be housed in a community aquarium fairly easily, adult Black Shark Minnows will prey on smaller fish and bully other bottom-dwellers. Rainbow sharks share a similar appearance to red tail sharks. Though not a tropical fish, the Chinese High-fin Banded Shark can easily adapt to waters up to 75oF. Harlequin sharks have a dappled patterning that mimics sunlight and shadows passing through tangles of weeds. While it’s next to impossible to keep a real shark as a pet, there are plenty of freshwater aquarium sharks that thrive in a home aquarium. Live or frozen brine shrimp. The rosaline shark is endangered in their native waters of India, and you don’t want to contribute to the dwindling numbers. DON’T add other bottom-dwellers to your aquarium unless you want to cause trouble. The biggest challenge with Bala Sharks is creating a diverse tank ecosystem. Most freshwater aquarium sharks are members of the Pangasiidae family (nicknamed the shark catfish family) or the Cyprinidae family. And with the extra demands of their care, you earn respect from fellow aquarists whenever you mention owning freshwater shark species. That said, rosalines still need schools to stay happy and healthy. While freshwater sharks may tolerate an occasional spike in ammonia or nitrites, the window is narrow. Silver Apollo Sharks are non-aggressive fish and are well-suited for most tank environments. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. - For Active species the aquarium must be 1.5 times as wide as the full adult length of the shark, and 4 - 5 times as long. While red-tails can hold their own, you’re better off avoiding other sharks. As with other catfish, they DO have venomous spines along the dorsal and pectoral fins. These colorful fish sport blue and red stripes on the sides and yellow patterns along their tails. They are semi-aggressive by nature. Your ammonia can’t go higher than 0.02 ppm, and your nitrites no higher than 0.2 ppm. Most freshwater aquarium sharks are members of the Pangasiidae family (nicknamed the shark catfish family) or the Cyprinidae family. Order online or in person at our new Fishkill, New York aquarium store location. However, Long-Finned Apollo Sharks will grow up to 12″ long and are much more aggressive. Remember to always ask a veterinarian for help regarding all of your pets. The Red Tail Shark (Epalzeorhynchos Bicolor) is an outstanding example of a freshwater shark fish. This goes double if you only bring one home. It is also a very popular species of aquarium sharks. Be careful when handling them. Required fields are marked *. If you see it through you will probably see that nearly every fish store in the country will carry at least one of these Sharks … Flake, pellets or freeze dried foods. For best results, pH should be between 6.8 and 8.0, with hardness between 2° and 10° dKH (35 to 175 ppm). Therefore, Rainbow Sharks mustn’t be housed with other bottom-dwellers or with peaceful fish, as they will mercilessly bully them. Nearly all of the freshwater sharks eat meat, and many are aggressive and/or territorial. Silver Apollo Sharks are schooling fish that prefer to be housed in groups of six or more. See more ideas about freshwater sharks, musky fishing, fish. Topping out around 24 inches (61cm) and 25 pounds (11kg), your tank needs plenty of room for these sharks to roam. Every year, Shark Week takes the world by storm, working people into a shark-media feeding frenzy. What they lack in manors, these beautiful sharks certainly make up for in cleanliness and beauty. Browse photos and search by condition, price, and more. This fast-swimming fish does not look like a shark, instead inhabiting the upper space of the water column in a fashion that is unique to this species alone. Facebook page opens in new window Instagram page opens in new window With its jet black to navy blue body and vibrant red tail, it is sure to steal the spotlight of any tank it’s put in. The female bull shark came to the Aquarium as a pup in the summer of 2005 from a private collector who found the bull shark off the coast of Texas. They are relatively non-aggressive but will eat anything they can fit in their mouths without judgment, especially as they’re growing. Red Tail Sharks can reach up to 6 inches in size (15.2 cm), though most of them tend to grow up to around 5 … Be sure to research your shark’s needs before you bring it home. Price, and your nitrites no higher than 0.02 ppm, and the generally! 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