The interest in freshwater aquarium sharks has been growing rapidly in recent years. People can’t get enough of them!
There’s something so neat about owning a shark, no matter what species it is. These iconic fish have been a staple of our relationship with the water for hundreds of years.
1. Bala Shark
Despite their somewhat intimidating looks, Bala Sharks are considered to be gentle giants. They are relatively peaceful and get along well with a wide range of fish. While they can start to view smaller critters as food when they get bigger, they tend to be respectful towards most fish. Additionally, other common names for bala sharks include the tricolor shark, silver shark or the shark minnow.
2. Red Tail Shark
Red Tail Sharks have been a popular fish species in the aquarist community for quite some time. They were originally found in freshwater lakes and swamps throughout Thailand. However, they are now considered to be critically endangered in the wild.
3. Rainbow Shark
Sometimes referred to as Ruby Sharks or Red-Finned Sharks, these creatures offer a nice pop of color to any freshwater tank. Like the Red Tail Shark, the Rainbow Sharks have a fiery red tail that stands out against a natural backdrop. However, in addition to their colorful tails, these fish also have bright red fins.
4. Iridescent Shark
Native to Southeast Asia, Iridescent Sharks are a big commitment. Not only do they get large, but these fish are known to live 20 years or more! As a result, they're regarded as species that only seasoned aquarists should keep.
5. Violet Blushing Shark
Unlike other freshwater aquarium sharks, the Violet Blushing Shark (or Labeo boga) is quite passive. It doesn't exhibit territorial behavior like you would see with other species. As a result, they do well in community tanks.
6. Columbian Shark
Here's a species that can be a big challenge to care for. Also known as the Blackfin Shark (not to be confused with number 7’s Black Shark), the Columbian Shark has some strict care requirements. Unfortunately, there's a lot of misinformation floating around out there.
7. Black Shark
The Black Shark is a large fish species with a semi-aggressive nature. Originally found throughout Malaysia, these fish are very popular because of their foreboding appearance.
8. Roseline Shark
These eye-catching fish are absolute stunners! The Roseline Shark is covered in several bright colors that look great against a natural backdrop. You'll see stripes of red, black, and gold. Patches of green and yellow are pretty common, too.
9. Harlequin Shark
Scientifically known as Labeo cyclorhynchus, Harlequin Sharks are an interesting addition to freshwater tanks. They're quite beautiful. However, the fish is known to live a very solitary life.
10. Chinese High-Fin Banded Shark
Chinese High-Fin Banded Sharks are a species that’s only viable for extremely large fish tanks or public aquarium installations. They are docile creatures that do just fine with others. They can be kept with a wide variety of fish without having to worry about aggressive behavior.
11. Silver Apollo Shark
While most freshwater aquarium sharks are bottom-dwellers, the Silver Apollo Shark likes to stick to the surface. It's a highly active fish that will spend its time skimming the top of the waterline in search of food. At times, they will also venture to the bottom to find prey.
Wrapping Up
Now that you’ve seen the full list of popular freshwater aquarium sharks, it’s time to pick the ones you’re most interested in.
While some of them might be too large to consider for your setup at home, many of the smaller sharks on this list are totally viable.
If you are looking to learn more about these sharks check our page: www.aquariumsource.com/freshw...
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