| By :
Bob Finklea
For the record, there are really no freshwater aquarium sharks, only some beautiful and colorful shark look-alikes that are actually minnows. (The true sharks, like the bull sharks that also live naturally in fresh waters, are too big for aquariums.) Despite their beauty, they have the shape and the form of real sharks but their colors vary (real shark colors are drab). What we call our freshwater aquarium sharks can certainly perk up an aquarium's total look. Watching them slowly swimming in the middle and lower parts of your freshwater aquarium as if they are on patrol for some prey, (like the real sharks in the wild) gives a sometimes exotic quality to your aquarium's miniature underwater world. Looking at them up close can sometimes give the illusion that they truly are tiny sharks. Only a sinister shark reputation can produce that type of excitement with only their appearence, for many viewers. (Amusingly, most of them have no teeth.) The following are some of the popular freshwater aquarium sharks. Bala shark Arguably, the most popular — if not the most common — The Bala Shark is among the popular sharks for freshwater fish tanks and is known scientifically as Balantiocheilos melanopterus. From the tropical waters in the countries of Laos, Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia. Bala sharks are hardy enough and can eat most of the fish food offered. They also adapt very well to present water conditions, but would be happy with a 6-8 pH of water that has a temperature of around 72-82º Fahrenheit (22-28 º Celsius). Most often, they are sold as small fries to aquarists who mistakenly keep them in small or medium-sizes aquariums for fishes of the same size. (Their full-grown size can be 14 inches long.) Black shark The black shark (Labeo chrysophekadion) is the largest of all the freshwater aquarium sharks. Fully developed, it can reach up to 32 inches (82 cm.) in length. It has a most beautiful night black color that makes it stand out among your fish community. Very hostile to their own kind (other sharks), they are most often easy going with all other fish and are relatively tame and peaceful. It would be wise to keep them without any other black sharks. Like the other sharks, they would thrive in water temperatures suited to their size and origin - 24 to 27º Celsius (75-81º Fahrenheit). They prefer a water acidity of 6.5 to 7.5 pH. Red Tailed Black Shark This red-tailed black shark comes from Thailand and is sometimes known as bicolor because of the red (tail) and the black (body) coloration. The black color changes and lightens up when the shark is under stress and can sometimes totally disappear. These are very aggressive creatures and do not tolerate their own kind as well, all because of their territorial instincts. They live in the bottom of the tank and establish their territories among the plants. Each individual fish needs a hiding place of its own especially if there is another one of its kind. (Never keep a group of, say, 3 or 4 individuals.) Keep the other fishes in the community a bit larger or at least similar in size so they can defend themselves from the red tails. Also keep the whole aquarium covered as well because these guys are known to be jumpers and literally jump out of your fish tank. This egg-layer can live up to 10 years (some live for 14 years) and can eat anything offered. They are comfortable living in waters with temperatures from 72 to 80º Fahrenheit (22 to 27º Celsius) and an acidity of 7 pH. Red finned shark (rainbow shark) This other black beauty with red fins is not as common in aquariums as their red-tailed cousins. Their red fins, however, can make them stand out in the fish community of your aquarium. One plus sign for them is that they are not very aggressive and can tolerate the company of their other fish neighbors. They just don't like the company of other sharks or the other bottom-dweller fish species. If you have two of them, you need a large aquarium where either one does not see the other often enough. They also need their own hiding places, preferably some small underwater caves or tunnels. They can grow as long as 5 inches (the females are slightly larger). If kept in good condition, the body sports a beautiful jet black color, and becomes washed out if not properly cared for. Siamese Flying Fox shark Compared to the popular freshwater aquarium sharks, the Siamese flying fox shark is docile. This is a good choice for a community tank fish because it likes to ignore the surrounding fish and other aquarium pets. At maturity, they can grow to about 8.5 centimeters. They need a lot of space with plenty of plants rock and coral around and feed on the algae. (The plants and the rocks collect algae.) However, they are not choosy with other food because they can also live on flakes and other pellet foods. They can be great sharks for beginning aquarists. All in all, it pays to know that freshwater aquarium sharks are usually not very comfortable with each other. You need to provide them with the right hiding places to establish their territorial instincts. After which, you will enjoy their exotic company in the realm of their little kingdoms.
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