The term “shark” is used for a handful of Barbs that have torpedo-shaped bodies and large fins, or a few others with a more ‘sinister’ look. But they certainly are not true sharks! In fact, aquarium sharks are either Barbs or catfish. In contrast to their ‘shark’ nickname, Barbs do not even have teeth. Instead, they possess tooth-like structures in their gills called pharyngeal teeth that they use to grind and tear food. Barbs are native to warm, tropical lakes and rivers in Africa and Asia; especially Southeast Asia. Most species are small and silvery to tan in coloration, although there are many brightly-colored species available to the aquarium hobby.
Shark Care
Barbs are attractive to freshwater hobbyists because in captivity they are hardy and easy to care for. To mimic their natural habitat, we suggest that the aquarium be arranged with plants, roots, or rocks to provide hiding places, as well as some open areas for swimming.
A shark can be a beautiful addition to any home tank, but be sure to do your homework on them first. Some are very territorial and may attack other fish while other species require a hiding place. Also it is never a good idea to keep more than one type of shark in the tank and this can cause aggressive behaviour in some species.
Types of Shark
One of the best types of shark is the Bala or Silver Shark. This is a very peaceful ‘shark’ which looks a lot like the real deal. They are compatible with most other fish but they can grow to be very large. In some cases they can reach lengths of up to 12 inches. In order to keep this fish you will do best to have a school of around six of them, which means your tank will need to be at least 350 litres in size.
The rainbow shark is quite striking it has a greenish black body with either bright orange or red fins. This fish has to be to a sole purchase as it will become aggressive with other sharks in its territory. On average they grow to around 12-15 cm. Also be sure that the fish you will introduce it to have enough space to hide if it has one of its temper tantrums. A tank of at least 120 litres is recommended for this fish.
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