Species profile: Iridescent shark

Scientific Name : pangasius hypophthalmus (previously p.sutchi)

Common Name : Iridescent shark , shark catfish , pangasius catfish

Class : Catfish

Family : Pangasiidae

Temperature : 78 to 82°F /27 to 30°C

Length : 110 cm in the wild but much smaller in aquaria.

Tank set up : Avoid sharp objects,likes some current ,large swimming space and very few artificial plants

Food : Blood worms , brine shrimps , tubifex worms and commercial foods

Swimming level : Mostly bottom and middle swimmer

Origin : Thailand

Compatibility : Very peaceful, will eat small fish that fit into its mouth, overly aggressive tankmates (eg: flowerhorns) should be avoided ,schooling fish when at juvenile stage but becomes solitary when it reaches adult stage

Breeding : Not Possible in aquaria, hormones triggered reproduction has been achieved in very large ponds.Typical egg scatterers

pH : 7 - 8 but will adapt to a wide range(6 – 8)

Comments : Very nervous fish which occasionally collides with the tank walls, plastic plants can be added on both sides of the tank to avoid damage to their sensible snout. Good jumper when frightened.A very large tank is needed when it attains adult stage.They have a poor eyesight and rely mostly on their feelers to locate food.Often sold in lfs as a small fish but nobody should buy these fish unless the buyer has a very large tank.