What Kind of Sharks Are the Best to Put in an Aquarium?

There are several species of so-called "sharks" available for home freshwater aquariums. These fish actually belong to the cyprinid family, which includes minnows, barbs rasboras and danios. Although not true sharks, they are named so because they somewhat resemble real saltwater sharks. Before adding freshwater sharks to your aquarium, there are things to consider such as the size of your tank. The most common aquarium sharks are the red tail shark, the Bala shark, the iridescent shark and the rainbow shark.

  1. Rainbow Sharks

    • Silver or greenish-black in color with red or orange fins, these fish are actually a type of minnow and grow to an adult size of about 7 inches in length. Make a rainbow shark your only shark as they are territorial and become extremely aggressive with anther shark in the tank. They are aggressive with other types of fish. If you choose to introduce a rainbow shark to your community tank, ensure the tank is large enough, at least 29 gallons. Rainbow sharks love to eat algae and help keep your tank clean.

    Bala Sharks

    • This silver torpedo-shaped freshwater shark is distinguished by the striking black markings on its fins. These sharks grow to lengths of 1 foot and sometimes longer, requiring a tank of at least 55 gallons for one fish. These are social fish and prefer to live in groups, but in order to accommodate a shoal of Bala sharks, you need a tank 200 gallons or larger. These sharks are extremely active and attempt to jump out of the tank at every opportunity. They also require a tank with a tight-fitting lid.

    Red Tail Sharks

    • The red tail shark has a velvety black body with a tail that ranges in color from orange to vivid red. They grow to about 6 inches in length and require a tank of 40 to 55 gallons. These sharks are also aggressive toward other sharks, so ensure it is the only shark in the tank. If you wish to house two red tail sharks, make sure the tank is 90 gallons or larger to enable the fish to stake out separate territories. These fish are bottom dwellers and like to hide in caves and thick vegetation at the bottom of the tank.

    Iridescent Sharks

    • This gray-black freshwater shark is a member of the catfish family. It gets its name from the iridescent stripe that runs across each side. Their iridescent appearance makes them popular sharks. They are readily available in most fish stores, but many aquarium experts recommend against them. In the wild, these fish grow up to 4 feet long and weigh up to 100 lbs. They are also happiest in groups of five or more, so they really are too large for home aquarium living. Living in a home aquarium also stunts their growth, so they often die prematurely of organ failure, according to Pet Care Journal. Another reason not to acquire an iridescent shark is its poor eyesight. Bright Hub reports that because they don't see well, they become quite skittish and sometimes injure themselves.