While often referred to as "sharks," iridescent sharks ( Pangasianodon hypophthalmus) are actually catfish belonging to the Pangasiidae family. Native to Southeast Asia, specifically the Mekong and Chao Phraya rivers, these fish have become popular in the aquarium trade due to their unique appearance. However, their considerable size and specific needs require a dedicated owner with the resources to provide proper care.
Identifying the Iridescent Shark
Iridescent sharks possess a distinctive appearance. Young iridescent sharks are known for their dark, shiny skin, which gradually transitions to a dark, solid grey as they mature. They have long barbels, a characteristic feature of catfish, and notably large eyes. Their most distinguishing feature is their dorsal fin. Albino iridescent sharks, which are white with red eyes, are also available.
Natural Habitat and Conservation
Iridescent sharks are native to the large river systems of Southeast Asia, particularly the Mekong and Chao Phraya rivers. These areas serve as both their natural habitat and source of food for local populations. Wild populations are dwindling due to dam building and the disappearance of breeding areas as a result of development.
Size and Lifespan
Iridescent sharks can reach an average size of 3-4 feet in length when fully grown. These fish can live upward of twenty years if given the right environment.
Housing Requirements
The most critical aspect of iridescent shark care is providing adequate space. While smaller tanks may be suitable for juveniles, adult iridescent sharks require a minimum tank size of 300 gallons. It is important to plan ahead and ensure sufficient space.
Read also: Comprehensive Bala Shark Guide
Tank Setup
Mimic the rivers they come from as much as possible. When setting up the tank, prioritize replicating their natural riverine environment. Add driftwood and rocks to the base of the tank, leaving ample open swimming space. Plants are not essential. Because iridescent sharks are easily spooked, it is recommended to keep the tank in a quiet area. Secure the tank with a tight-fitting lid, as these fish are prone to jumping and may injure themselves.
Water Parameters
Iridescent catfish are rather hardy, which gives you some flexibility when it comes to their water parameters. Monitor the water conditions regularly, noting that in larger tanks, it can take longer to correct any problematic levels. Iridescent sharks tolerate a wide range of water quality parameters. The ideal pH should be between 6.8 and 8.0, with hardness between 2° and 10° dKH (35 to 175 ppm). Maintain a temperature between 74° and 80°F using an aquarium heater. Good filtration is essential, along with regular water changes of 10% weekly or 25% bi-weekly, using a water conditioner to treat tap water before refilling the aquarium.
Diet and Feeding
Finding the right iridescent shark food is all about maintaining variety to give them the necessary vitamins and nutrients to stay healthy. Iridescent sharks are omnivorous and require a varied diet. You can tell a lot about a fish's diet by looking at its mouth parts. Most sharks are omnivorous in captivity and will thrive on a varied diet. A flake-based diet is usually recommended as long as it’s from a high-quality company. In addition to this, you’ll want to throw in some live food as well. Make sure you’re getting your iridescent shark food from reputable and trusted sources.
Offer a combination of high-quality flake food, live foods, frozen foods, and sinking pellets or algae wafers. Some keepers have had success with Tetra Prima, sinking shrimp pellets, cichlid balls, freeze-dried krill, and TetraMin flavor crisps. Feed only what they can consume in 2 to 3 minutes, once or twice a day, rotating the diet daily for optimal health and color.
Behavior and Compatibility
Iridescent sharks are schooling fish and are best kept in groups. When alone they’re far more likely to be stressed and nervous but in a group, they’re much calmer. As far as their temperament goes these are peaceful and calm fish. They are generally peaceful fish, but their large size can be intimidating to smaller tankmates.
Read also: What do reef sharks eat?
Tank Mates
The best iridescent shark tank mates are peaceful fish of similar size. Avoid housing them with aggressive species. Since these are peaceful and shy fish, any aggressive fish are to be avoided as well. Iridescent sharks don’t have the gumption to fight back or defend themselves which can make them easy targets. Ideal tankmates include other iridescent sharks and similarly sized, non-aggressive fish.
Common Diseases and Prevention
While there aren’t any species-specific diseases you have to worry about with iridescent shark, you still need to keep an eye out for common afflictions. Ich is probably the most likely disease these fish will face. However, it’s far better to prevent these kinds of illnesses from happening in the first place. Like we said before, these are schooling fish that do much better in groups. Maintaining optimal water quality is crucial in preventing diseases.
Breeding
Breeding iridescent sharks in a home aquarium is extremely difficult. The sheer amount of space they need is enough to stop your breeding efforts before they start. As migratory fish, they also need to go through this process and cover distance before they consider breeding (similar to salmon). If they haven’t migrated it doesn’t click in their brain that breeding can be an option.
Read also: Keto Gummies: A Deep Dive
tags: #iridescent #shark #diet #and #care