Iridescent shark
Pangasianodon hypophthalmus
A silver 'shark' sold at 2–3 inches that is really a food-fish catfish growing past 3 feet; no home aquarium is big enough.
Key facts
- Body length
- 51.2 in without fins
- Minimum tank
- 4532 gallons
- Group
- Alone is fine
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Care level
- 4 / 5
- Lifespan
- 20–25 years
- Diet
- Pellets, vegetables, frozen foods
- Origin
- Mekong and Chao Phraya rivers, Southeast Asia
- Hardier than3%
- Bigger than100%
- Calmer than68%
Water: their range vs yours
Iridescent shark tank mates
- Assassin snailGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Bladder snailGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Malaysian trumpet snailGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Mystery snailGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Ramshorn snailGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Red swamp crayfishGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Redclaw crayfishGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Colombian ramshornGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Rabbit snailGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Great pond snailGreat pond snail needs cool water; iridescent sharks need tropical heat.Risky
- Neon tetraIridescent shark can eat Neon tetra: prey body depth 0.7 cm ≤ mouth 32.5 cm.Avoid
- Harlequin rasboraIridescent shark can eat Harlequin rasbora: prey body depth 1.1 cm ≤ mouth 32.5 cm.Avoid
- Fancy guppyIridescent shark can eat Fancy guppy: prey body depth 0.8 cm ≤ mouth 32.5 cm.Avoid
- Panda corydorasIridescent shark can eat Panda corydoras: prey body depth 2.4 cm ≤ mouth 32.5 cm.Avoid
- OtocinclusIridescent shark can eat Otocinclus: prey body depth 0.7 cm ≤ mouth 32.5 cm.Avoid
- Cherry shrimpIridescent shark can eat Cherry shrimp: prey body depth 0.8 cm ≤ mouth 32.5 cm.Avoid
How we check
The numbers the tank model uses for iridescent sharks: water as ideal and tolerated ranges, bioload from adult mass, space, flow and how they act on other species.
- Standard length
- 130 cm (SL)
- Adult mass
- 35982.35 g
- Bioload at 25 °C
- 915.25 BU
- Min. water
- 14580 L net
- Min. footprint
- 450 × 180 cm per specimen
- Min. height
- 180 cm
- Group
- 1+ (best 3)
- Swims in
- middle
- Flow
- moderate
- Body / fins
- fusiform, normal fins
- Diet type
- omnivore
- Fin nipper
- none
- Sensitive to
- copper
Sources: Seriously Fish: Pangasianodon hypophthalmus · FishBase: Pangasianodon hypophthalmus
Care notes
Iridescent sharks are river catfish from the lower Mekong and Chao Phraya, farmed for food as pangasius. In captivity they easily pass 3 feet, can live 20 years or more, and an albino form is common in stores.
Even one fish needs a pond-scale volume of thousands of gallons. They are skittish, crash into the glass and jump when cramped, so a heavy lid is essential, and any fish that fits in the mouth gets eaten.
Questions
What size tank does a iridescent shark need?
At least 4532 gallons (14580 litres of water after decor). Adults reach about 51.2 inches without fins.
How many iridescent sharks should be kept together?
One is fine. They do not need company of their own kind.
What water do iridescent sharks need?
72–79 °F, pH 6.5–7.5 and 2–29 dGH. Iridescent sharks come from Mekong and Chao Phraya rivers, Southeast Asia.
How long do iridescent sharks live?
20–25 years with good care.
What fish can live with iridescent sharks?
Good tank mates include Assassin snail, Bladder snail, Malaysian trumpet snail, Mystery snail and Ramshorn snail. Each is checked both ways for size, fin nipping, temperament, territory and shared water.