Iridiscent Shark?

**CrunchyLeaf** · 02-28-2012, 09:08 PM

I have seen some youtube videos of people's freshwater tanks that have sharks in them and they call them "Iridescent sharks". They're beautiful, but I couldn't find any information about them in the species information here on the site.

Does anyone know what fish I'm talking about? Is it actually an appropriate fish to be kept in a home aquarium? I'd love to have one someday, but I don't know if this is just another example of a fish being kept in a tank when it shouldn't.

Thanks!

~Manna

**MLBfan** · 02-28-2012, 09:13 PM

From the quick reading on Wikipedia and seriously fish I just did, I would say no, it says they can get 3 feet, are schooling, and need a lot of room. Seriously Fish's website said a minimum of 15 feet, even more is needed for a school! Few people have tanks that size.

**Goes to 11!** · 02-28-2012, 09:14 PM

Get them ONLY if you are going to get a much Much MUCH larger tank.

'Nuff said.

**CrunchyLeaf** · 02-28-2012, 09:27 PM

Originally Posted by 850R

Get them ONLY if you are going to get a much Much MUCH larger tank.

'Nuff said.

Well...good to know. As much as I would like to get into aquarium keeping as a hobby, I know I'll never have a tank that big.

I tend to like all the sharks I see. Particularly Bala Sharks and Red Tail/Rainbow Sharks. Are there any sharks that won't outgrow a 30 gallon tank? That's the size I am currently planning to get.

**ScottishFish** · 02-28-2012, 09:31 PM

Red tailed black sharks grow to around 12cm, one of them could be an option?

**Goes to 11!** · 02-28-2012, 09:35 PM

Balas get far far to big. The red-tails & rainbows get to six inches or so but their temperament does not make them good tank mates for other stock suitable for your size tank.

**ScottishFish** · 02-28-2012, 09:49 PM

+1 to 850R they can be very grumpy and aggressive.

**congar15** · 02-29-2012, 12:36 AM

A red tail shark could work ok, I'd try it. As for the irridescent shark, when I was just starting out several years ago, the LFS sold me an irridescent shark for my 16g tank... lol. It grew to about 5in long from its original 2 or 3 inches. Then I researched online and within the week sold it back to the LFS. These should not even be sold in fish stores.

**Lady Hobbs** · 03-01-2012, 04:58 AM

I would put no shark in a 30 gallon including the red tail. They can get aggressive, as well, and also go after other smaller fish in the tank.

**CrunchyLeaf** · 03-04-2012, 05:30 PM

Too bad. I can't believe they sell these sharks so haphazardly to unknowing customers. I know it's your responsibility to research the pet you are getting before you get it, but there is a 50/50 share of responsibility between the purchaser and the seller.

Anyway, I'm sad to find out about the nature of the red tail and rainbow sharks. That would be the first fish I would want to get if I got a big tank like a 55 gallon, but it sounds like it would severely limit my options of what other fish I could have. : (