Aquarium Inf

Breeding Iridescent Shark (Pangasianodon Hypophthalmus) In The Aquarium

iridescent shark Pangasianodon hypophthalmus
SpeciesIridescent Shark
Other namesShark Catfish
Latin NamePangasianodon Hypophthalmus
Familysiluridae
OriginSouth East Asia
Length 50 - 100 cm
Temperature22 - 26°C
Water Hardnesssoft - hard
pH6.0 - 7.5
Aquarium Size300 L
Foodlive, frozen, dry, plant

Iridescent Shark (Pangasianodon Hypophthalmus)
Other names: Shark Catfish

Location

This freshwater fish lives in rivers in Vietnam, Thailand, Laos and Cambodia. This is consumer fish well-known as River Cobbler and you may buy it for a dinner in shops which sell fish fillets.

Body description

This fish can grow up to 120cm. It is voracious, it grows very fast and quickly grows out of the aquarium. This species isn’t recommended for beginner aquarists. Body of the fish is elongated with small head. Colour of the body is gray-graphite with light under-side. The caudal fin is forked with light border. The dorsal fin has shape of triangle, like a shark's fin. The anal fin is wide and long – it narrows towards the tail. The fish does not have scales. Colour of the young fish is silvery. Female is thicker than male in the ventral parts.

Temperament and behaviour

This is timid and nervous species. It prefers to live in the group. You should keep these fish with similar size and peaceful species. They can eat small fish.

Aquarium decoration

You need a very large aquarium – 150cm minimum width. Tank should have hiding-places with smooth edges, space to swim, soft substrate, dimmed light, effective filtration system. A partial water exchange should be done regularly.

Breeding

This is an oviparous species. We don’t have any information about breeding these fish in the aquarium.