8/2/2019 Freshwater Shark

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Average adult size: 5 to 13+ inches long, de-pending on species

Average life span: depends on species

Diet: omnivore

Minimum Aquarium Size: 20+ gallons, dependingon species

Water Temperature: 72-82°F

shopping listfor needed supplies

  appropriate size aquarium

  appropriate food, dry and frozen

  décor

  water conditioner

  lter

  water test kit

  full spectrum lighting - T5 recommended

  net

  thermometer

  freshwater substrate

  heater

  hydrometer

  airstone

  air pump

  book about freshwater sharks

sources

 speak to an associate about the PETCO library ofbooks on freshwater sharks.speak to a PETCO associate about our many privatebrand items available for the care and happiness ofyour pet.

Because all aquatic life are potential carriers of infec-tious diseases, such as Salmonella, always wash yourhands before and after handling your aquatic lifeand/or habitat contents to help prevent the potentialspread of diseases.Pregnant women, children under the age of 5 andpeople with weakened immune systems should con-tact their physician before purchasing and/or caringfor an aquatic life and should consider not having anaquatic life as a pet. For more information regard-ing aquatic life and disease, contact the Center forDisease Control at http://www.cdc.gov/healthypets/and http://www.petco.com/pet_care_info/compan-ion_animal_care_sheets.

This care sheet can cover the needs of other species,see petco.com for more information.

includes rainbow, redtail, bala, apollo, silvertip

and black shark species

reshwater shark

reshwater shark acts:

SKU 1413384 © 2011, PETCO Animal Supplies, Inc.All rights reserved. (03/2011)

Developed with and approved

by a qualifed veterinarian.

Note: The information on this Care Sheet 

is not a substitute for veterinary care. If  you need additional information, please

refer to the sources below or contact your 

veterinarian as appropriate.

the generic term “shark” is applied to many unrelated fsh

with a similar body shape ound all over the world. reshwater

sharks are not true sharks, but are typically catfsh or relatives

o carp. reshwater sharks add personality and character to an

aquarium.

care sheet

8/2/2019 Freshwater Shark

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characteristics

some species, such as

rainbows and red-tails,

are territorial and should

be kept individually in a

community tank.

some species, such as

balas, should be kept in

schools o at least three

sharks o the same spe-cies.

habitat

maintenance

daily: check flter, water

temperature and other

equipment.

weekly: check water

quality at least once a

week.

monthly: change 10-25%

o the total volume o

water every 2-4 weeks,

or as needed.

introduce new inhabit-

ants to the aquarium

gradually.

housing

• keep in an appropriate

size aquarium; provide

plenty o space or

swimming and hiding

places.

• Stable water quality,

water temperature,

and pH levels are

critical to the healthof the invertebrate.

If you are unsure of

your water quality

or pH levels, PETCO

provides free water

testing.

compatibility

generally, sharks are

compatible with like-

sized fsh o a similar

temperament (com-

munity with community,

semi-aggressive with

semi-aggressive).

signs o a healthy

shark

• clear eyes

• eats vigorously

• active swimming

• good color

avoid overcrowded

conditions; they are a

major cause of stressand disease. maintain

good water quality with

regular water changes

and adequate ltration.

red ags

if you notice any of these signs, test water quality 

and improve as necessary.

Developed with and approved

by a qualifed veterinarian.

common health issues

includes rainbow, redtail, bala, apollo, silvertip and black shark species

freshwater shark

diet

a well-balanced reshwa-

ter shark diet consists o:

• ake, pellets or reeze

dried oods.

• live or rozen brine

shrimp.

eeding

things to remember

when eeding your resh-

water shark:

• eed small amounts

two to three times

daily, no more than

fsh will eat in 3-5

minutes.

• thaw rozen ood

beore eeding.

• loss o appetite

• spots or ungus on

body or mouth

• listlessness

• rayed fns

• clouded eyes

care sheet

Health Issue Symptoms or Causes Suggested Action

fn rot rayed or disintegrating fns;

the base o the fns usually

reddens.

improve water

quality; consult your

aquatic veterinarian

or treatment.ich white spots appear on fns

and body; fsh rubs against

hard objects or swims

awkwardly.

quarantine fsh

immediately; use

commercial ich

remedy or at least

two weeks.