You may want to think about getting a shark catfish pangasius for your aquarium if you enjoy unusual and visually appealing fish. Because of its impressive size and sleek, streamlined body, this fish is often referred to as the "shark catfish," adding an exotic touch to any tank. It stands out in any aquatic setup immediately thanks to its unique appearance and lively nature.
Southeast Asia is home to the shark catfish pangasius, also known as the Pangasius catfish, which lives in rivers and lakes there. It has an almost shark-like appearance due to its strong body and bifurcated tail, which is both fascinating and a little frightening. In an aquarium that is well-maintained, this fish can coexist peacefully with other species despite its intimidating appearance.
The size of the pangasius is among the most crucial considerations. These fish have a considerable growth potential; they frequently reach lengths of three feet. This implies that a large tank is necessary for them to flourish, which may be beyond the means of many aquarium enthusiasts. To keep them content and healthy, they also need a well-kept environment with high-quality water and lots of swimming space.
If you’re up for the challenge, taking care of a shark catfish pangasius can be a rewarding experience. If you can meet their needs, they are a highlight in any tank because of their distinctive appearance and lively behavior. This fish can make an interesting and dynamic addition to your aquatic collection with the correct setup and maintenance.
| Common Name | Shark Catfish Pangasius |
| Scientific Name | Pangasius spp. |
| Size | Up to 3 feet (90 cm) in captivity |
| Appearance | Long body, shark-like fin, silver-gray color |
| Habitat | Freshwater rivers and lakes in Southeast Asia |
| Tank Requirements | Large tank, at least 150 gallons |
| Water Conditions | Warm water, pH 6.5-7.5 |
| Diet | Omnivorous, eats pellets, live food, and vegetables |
| Temperament | Generally peaceful but may outgrow smaller tankmates |
| Care Level | Moderate to advanced due to size and space needs |
The fascinating Pangasius, or shark catfish, is distinguished by its remarkable size and eye-catching appearance. These fish, which are native to Southeast Asia, are well-liked in aquariums because of their distinctive appearance and lively temperament. But taking care of them means knowing what they need, which includes having a large enough tank and a setting that is similar to their natural habitat. The essentials of keeping shark catfish in an aquarium—such as their diet, tank design, and behavior—will be covered in this article to assist you in providing a healthy home for these fascinating fish.
- Shark catfish – description
- Shark catfish: maintenance and care
- What to feed a shark catfish
- Video on the topic
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- High-finned pangasius (Pangasius sanitwongsei). Shark catfish.
- Siamese pangasius or shark catfish (Pangasius sutchi)
- Pangasius. Shark catfish.
Shark catfish – description
Pangasius elongated without scales, with a high fin count. It has a flat head. There’s a huge mouth on it. The dorsal fin is triangular and elevated. A tall triangular fin is also present in the tail region. The fish resembles a shark because of its big mouth and fins. Shark catfish are gray, with a slightly paler hue near the belly than the main body. Young fish have a horizontal stripe running the length of their body, from the gills to the tail. Beings that are adults lack it. The edges of the silver fins are dark gray.
The fish has notable dimensions in nature: it is 1.5 meters long and weighs more than 40 kilograms. Shark catfish can grow up to 1 m in large reservoirs, but in a home aquarium, they are no longer than 70 cm. Juveniles prefer to live in a school, while adults prefer to live alone. For every adult fish, at least 250–300 liters of water are required. loves protein foods but eats everything.
Dim-witted Sutchi’s short dorsal fin sets it apart from the species mentioned above. Its mouth is also smaller than the high-finned pangasius’s. The belly and back are gray, and the body is black. The stripes that run the length of the body, from the gills to the tail, get progressively softer as they get older. The gray fins have a black stripe running along their edges.
The species can reach a maximum length of 120 cm in the wild and 50 cm in an aquarium. Prefers to remain in a flock of six people. devours everything. One person requires 150–200 liters of water to be kept.
A shark catfish has a 20-year lifespan.
Shark catfish: maintenance and care
Active swimming in the upper and middle layers of the water is preferred by domestic sharks. The pet was timid due to its weak nervous system and eyesight. It charges around the entire aquarium at the first sound of a knock, smashing everything in its path. The fish loses color and faints under extreme stress.
The high-finned pangasius can swallow fish that are just one-third smaller than it because of its enormous mouth. The small mouth of the low-finned sutchi allows it to swallow small fish. Aggression is nonexistent among the fish. Sutchi, on the other hand, likes bright lighting; the freshwater high-finned shark prefers dim light.
Size of aquarium
Small tanks can hold fish as small as 15 cm. And they start growing really quickly as soon as they reach 15 cm. This is the point where moving will be necessary. A 450–500 liter aquarium is required for a pair of high-finned pangasius. The pet must be kept in an aquarium with a volume of one ton if it grows larger than fifty centimeters.
The dimensions of the low-finned Sutchi are smaller, but it still requires a 1-ton aquarium to be kept. Sutchi is a schooling fish, which explains why. It is therefore essential to maintain the group size of six people.
Pet store salespeople frequently claim that a fish won’t grow to its full length in a small aquarium. However, this is untrue. The fish will get enormous very quickly. Thus, give it careful thought before deciding to purchase a shark catfish.
Conditions in an aquarium
Feel free to acquire a pangasius if you own a sizable aquarium. The fish is not picky. It needs warm water that is between 22 and 28 degrees to survive. It doesn’t matter about the Gh and Ph values.
Shark catfish are able to breathe atmospheric air and can withstand low oxygen levels. Nevertheless, the aquarium needs aeration installed. The pet is sensitive to the presence of nitrogen compounds, nitrate, and organic matter. The pet will become ill and eventually die from such water. Installing effective pond filtration and flow will help prevent this.
Clean up the soil and replace thirty percent of the water with fresh each week. Replacement ought to be carried out gradually, with pauses. This is required to prevent stress in the event of a sudden change in the water’s parameters.
Since domestic sharks swim all the time, the aquarium should be quite large. Big stones and driftwood can be used as décor. It is preferable to use small, rounded soil particles. A healthy root system is essential for the survival of plants.
The high-finned shark will get along well with large fish, such as black pacu, large catfish, and large cichlids. Shark barbs, labeo, large cichlids, and African knife will make excellent neighbors for the low-finned Sutchi.
What to feed a shark catfish
Fish in aquariums will eat anything, but protein should make up the majority of their diet. Young fish should unquestionably be fed tubifex, frozen or live bloodworms, finely chopped veal, and frozen fish pieces. Make sure to incorporate young zucchini and spinach leaves that have been boiled in water into your diet. Pangasius enjoy eating cereal porridge.
Giving food in tiny portions twice a day is advised. Feed the fish in low light to keep them calm. Food will only be accepted by them in the water column. After feeding, everything that sinks to the bottom must be taken out.
Set aside a day for the fish to fast once a week to maintain their health. Dry food is not appropriate for this kind of catfish, so you should not feed it to it. The fish eats plant food as they get older and lose their teeth.
A unique addition to an aquarium can be the fascinating shark catfish pangasius. This fish, which is well-known for its enormous size and elegant appearance, enthralls a lot of hobbyists with its dynamic presence. But it’s important to keep in mind that for these fish to flourish, they need a lot of room and a clean environment. Because of their size and energy level, they work best in larger tanks or even ponds where they can move around freely and exhibit their natural behaviors.
The growth rate of pangasius is among the most noteworthy features of their care. They can grow pretty quickly, so as they get older, you’ll need to make plans for their needs. A balanced diet, adequate filtration, and routine water changes are essential for their health. Furthermore, because pangasius are gregarious fish that thrive in social settings, it’s usually advised to house them with other fish of the same species to keep them safe and content.
In conclusion, even though the shark catfish pangasius is an eye-catching and fascinating species, you should give it serious thought before putting one in your tank. They are best suited for seasoned aquarists who can provide the proper environment because of their size, growth rate, and social needs. A pangasius can add a bit of the exotic to your aquarium and be a rewarding fish to care for if you’re up for the challenge.
