How to Breed Silver Sharks

Silver Sharks are freshwater fish with shark-shaped bodies. They are also known as Bala Sharks or Tricolor Sharks. They are suitable for community aquariums because of their peaceful nature, but attempting to breed the animals will require a tank size of at least 120 gallons to accommodate their 16-inch size. Silver Sharks are difficult to breed, and it may take quite some time before it is accomplished in an aquarium. You should have prior experience with large tropical fish before making any attempts.

Things You'll Need

  • Six Silver Sharks
  • 120 gallon tank
  • Gravel
  • Rocks and decor
  • Two adjustable heaters
  • Dechlorinator
  • 120-gallon filter
  • Powerhead water pump
  • 20-gallon aquarium
  • 20-gallon filter
  • Nylon net
  • Fry food
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Instructions

    • 1

      Fill up the 120-gallon tank with freshwater and lay a 2-inch layer of gravel on the bottom. Dechlorinate the water using liquid dechlorinator drops found in pet stores. The proper amount of liquid dechlorinator depends on the manufacturer and will be listed on the packaging.

    • 2

      Install the adjustable heater and filter. The heater should be large enough to warm a 120-gallon tank, which will be listed on its packaging. 300-watt heaters are typically powerful enough. The filter should be powerful enough to filter a 120-gallon tank, a specification that will also be listed on its packaging. Consult the manual for installation instructions specific to your model.

    • 3

      Place any decor or rocks around the aquarium and let the filter cycle the water for 48 hours. The water will be thoroughly cleaned and dechlorinated over this time.

    • 4

      Place a powerhead water pump in the top corner of the tank. The powerhead pump will produce a strong current, which the male silver shark will use to distribute his sperm to the eggs that the female will eventually lay. Consult the powerhead's manual for specific installation instructions.

    • 5

      Set the adjustable heater to between 76 and 84 degrees F. Silver Sharks prefer warm water, and they are more likely to spawn in this temperature range.

    • 6

      Introduce between six and eight individual Silver Sharks to ensure you get a mixture of males and females. The sharks should be at least 9 inches in length to assure sexual maturity.

    • 7

      Wait for the fish to spawn. This could take several weeks up to several months. The females will scatter eggs all along the bottom of the tank, and the males will eject sperm into the current created by the powerhead. Wait two days after the eggs have been laid to proceed.

    • 8

      Set up a fry tank. The tank should be 20 gallons and otherwise be identical to the breeding tank (2 inches of gravel, an appropriate filter, dechlorinated fresh water, and a heater set to between 76 and 84 F).

    • 9

      Transfer the eggs into the fry tank from the breeding tank using a net. Be very careful to lay them gently on the gravel in the new tank. They should hatch in three to seven days.

    • 10

      Feed the fry (baby fish) liquid fry food for two to three weeks, after which they can eat crushed flake food. They will be ready to move to established aquariums when they reach 2 inches in length.