posted 12-19-2003 06:35 PM         

I have 2, in a 10 gallon tank that's maintained at approximately 78 degrees (with other fish). I've had them now for a little over a year, and they, like toddlers, do wonderfully with a schedule.

When I first got them, they would freak out over the slightest things, but once a routine was established (light on in the AM "good morning" with breakfast feeding, an afternoon feeding, a nighttime feeding with lights out "good night"), they chilled out.

It also probably doesn't hurt that I have 3 hiding spot setups in the tank, in addition to a "curtain" of bubbles that they seem to really enjoy swimming through (must tickle their bellies or something).

I'm currently contemplating purchasing a larger tank --mainly because aquariums are so addictive, and I'm curious to see just how large they can get: I've been told by many that aquarium fish (and fish in general) grow according to the alloted space permitted.

posted 12-20-2003 08:52 AM         

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Irridescent Sharks need a big, long aquarium with lots of swimming space. It is a definite must to have a powerhead or something to create lots of horizontal water current. They can become frightened easy and sometimes "play dead" when scared. Water conditions are very crucial for these catfish. The only defense for these fish from other bullying fish is to dart away VERY quickly. When they get scared they dart around and because of this and their poor vision, smack into the sides of the tank hard and tend to injure and split open their snouts. These catfish shoal together when young but become loners later. They occasionally surface to breathe if the water is low on oxygen. Hiding places are not essential but again, strong water current is and seems to make them a lot less stressed. Females are fatter than males and the bigger they get, the fatter they get compared to their overall length. Its name of "shark" encourages aquarists to keep them but not more than 85% of them get bigger than 8" long in aquariums before they die. This is not a recommended aquarium fish.

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posted 12-20-2003 08:54 AM         

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Pangasius hypophthalmus -
Other names:...........Shark Catfish, Pangasius Catfish

Origin:......................Fast flowing open waters of Thailand

Max size:..................40"

PH:............-..............6.8-7.4

Temperature:...........72-79 F.

Min tank size:..........135 gallons

Food:.........................flake food, stick food, algae discs, worms

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