Shark catfish: a mini-shark in your aquarium

The Siamese Pangasius (Pangasius hypophthalmus,Pangasius sutchi) is called a shark catfish or a freshwater (aquarium) shark for its surprising resemblance to a formidable predator. Fortunately, the size of freshwater sharks is much less: in the aquarium fish can grow to 60 cm in length.

Color of young specimens of shark catfish - gray, from 2longitudinal silvery stripes on each side. With age, fishes darken, silvery stripes disappear. The fins of the young Pangasius are light gray, with age becoming gray, with a silver edging.

Distinguish the male and female of this species of aquarium fish you can by body size and color. Female is usually larger than males, and their color is paler.

Shark catfish is a very mobile and shy fish, always tries to stay at the front orside walls of the aquarium. When "settling in" the aquarium usually starts to rush in different directions, it can also pretend to be dead. Fish freezes for 10-20 minutes, and then again "comes to life."

It is best to keep shark catfish in small flocks of 3-4 individuals. In addition, the shark catfish will get along with the Labeo, largebarbs, with cichlids, gurus, polypters. Fish should not be very small. Sometimes shark catfish can conflict with each other, causing serious damage to each other.

Contain aquarium sharks in a large aquarium - from 350 liters. As a primer, sand, large stones, snags are used. Aquarium plants should be carefully fixed in the ground.

Water for an aquarium with Siamese pangasius should have a hardness of 2-15 °, pH 6.5-8.0, temperature 24-29 ° C. Every week, the water in the aquarium needs to be replaced by about 30% of the total volume. A powerful aeration and filtration is necessary: ​​the Shum catfish do not like the old water.

Feeding Siamese pangasius is best donein the evening. In some cases, shark catfish may refuse to feed if the room is too light. Therefore, it is recommended to reduce the brightness of lighting during feeding.

What to feed shark felines? You can give them a pipe man, bloodworms, live and frozen non-fat fish, squid, chopped veal, beef heart. You can feed pangasius with granulated dry food.

Catches a lot of shark catfish. Food is not looking on the ground, stones - picking up onlythose particles that are in the water next to it. Typically, it is recommended to include in the species composition of the aquarium fish, which will eat the remains of food on the bottom - this will help maintain the aquarium in good condition.

Shark catfish is active and mobile, not fastidious in nutrition - This aquarium fish is perfect for both beginners and experienced aquarists.