Aquarium Sharks
If you really want to have people notice the fish in your aquarium, sharks are the answer. There are several different types of aquarium sharks--the only problem is that in order to keep them you are going to need a tank much larger than the normal twenty-gallon size. The up side to these freshwater sharks is that they are colorful and very active swimmers so they are exciting to watch.
One of the misconceptions most people have about aquarium sharks is that they are sharks. They are not. In fact, these so-called freshwater sharks are in the same fish family as minnows. A couple huge freshwater sharks do exist but they are endangered or extinct because they have not been seen in some time. The Bull Shark is often called a freshwater shark, but although it does travel thousands of miles along rivers and into lakes, it must return to the sea to reproduce.
In spite of the fact that they are technically not sharks, aquarium sharks still make beautiful and very interesting pets. Let’s take a look at some common ones:
Rainbow Shark--An aquarium of at least fifty-five gallons is needed for this fish. They have to have a planted aquarium with plenty of logs, rocks and caves for hiding. They are very territorial so you need to have only one in a tank with other types of fish, or five or more together in a tank. Otherwise, they will fight until only one survives. A Rainbow Shark can grow to be around nine inches long. Their coloring is dark gray or black with bright red fins. An Albino Rainbow Shark that is pinkish white with red fins is also available for aquariums. They are omnivores, and can be fed fish food, algae pellets, bloodworms, crustaceans, or shrimp.
Bala Shark--This shark is usually sold in pet stores when it is two inches long. It often surprises people to learn that the Bala Shark is going to grow to be nine to fourteen inches long and that the minimum size aquarium they will need is 125 gallons. This shark is actually the happiest in a 250-gallon tank. Silver, with black tips on their fins and tail, a Bala Shark is a very nice looking aquarium fish. They are compatible with most other fish as long as they have places to hide. Still, you need to have only one Bala Shark in with other types of fish or a school of five or more together. They are omnivorous and not fussy eaters.
White Tip Shark Catfish--If you like the looks of catfish, then you will like this shark. They are around five inches long as adults and need at least a 30-gallon tank. They adapt to freshwater, but can also be kept as a group in brackish water, which is fresh water with aquarium salt added. You should have only one of these catfish sharks or many. They are great for scouring the bottom of the tank for stray food.
Red Tail Shark-The Red Tail Shark is similar to the Rainbow Shark but the two must never be kept together as they are too territorial. Like other aquarium sharks, they tend to be good jumpers so make sure you have a tightly fitting aquarium cover. They are gray in color with a red tail. They are slightly aggressive but compatible with other types of fish as companions. They grow to be around five inches long and like most other aquarium sharks, like a water temperature between 75 and 80 degrees.