Pangasius sutchi (Shark)

History

The iridescent shark Pangasianodon hypophthalmus (formerly Pangasius hypophthalmus) is a very active catfish. They form fish of fish, and a group of these swimmers makes a lovely spectacle. Its name comes from its juvenile coloring, a silver iridescent with a few dark bands, and a body shape resembling that of a shark. When they reach their adult size, which can reach 130 cm long in the wild, their color becomes a dark gray uniform, often without stripes.

The iridescent shark catfish has a very long history with man. The Nations of Southeast Asia have used it as an important food fish for hundreds of years and it is also a popular aquarium fish. It is known under a number of common names. The names of Pangasius and Sutchi catfish-fish are derived from scientific names under which it was described before, more recently Pangasius hypophthalmus and at the beginning Pangasius Sutchi. The tiger shark, the shark catfish and the striped catfish are linked to its appearance, while the Siamese shark and the Asian shark catfish are linked to its original place as well as its appearance. Striped catfish is also its common name in the food fish market.

Pangasius catfish are so attractive in the juvenile state that the aquariophiles then find them very desirable. Unfortunately, this catfish is only intended for a very large aquarium. They are relatively robust and are peaceful with other fish, as long as their aquarium companions are too big to be swallowed. But due to their size, they are not the best aquatic fish to keep in a domestic aquarium. Juveniles can start in an aquarium of 100 gallons, but once they have reached their adult size, usually about 100 cm in captivity, they will need an aquarium the size of at least 300 gallons or more. These are also very active fish that need a lot of space for swimming, and they do not develop as well if they are raised alone as juveniles. Iridescent sharks really need to be kept in small groups of about 5 fish to behave well.

The iridescent shark is known as naked catfish and, like all species of catfish, it is without scales, but unlike others, its skin is not covered with bone plates or other armor. Therefore, it can be easily scratched and damaged. Nor is it used to living in the bottom of the water like most of the catfish, but it rather occupies the middle of the aquarium. They are constantly moving and occasionally go to the surface to get some fresh air. These fish are also daytime, which means that they are active during the day and enjoy a well -lit aquarium.

Be careful ! Pangasius catfish has a bad view and it is a nervous fish that can easily be frightened. Do not type on the glass and do not start the fish because it may injure itself in its insane flight. It can become hysterical when frightened and rushed around the aquarium. They will often bang against the walls of the aquarium, ornaments or other fish. After such a flight, you can see the fish sink at the bottom of the aquarium and go to bed on the side or on the back until they recover.

The iridescent shark Pangasianodon hypophthalmus was described by Sauvage in 1878. However, given that the nations of Southeast Asia capture this fish as a source of food for hundreds of years, no one knows with certainty who has it discovered. This species has recently passed from Pangasius genus to Pangasianodon genus. Pangasius hypophthalmus is now a synonym rather than a valid species name, just like the name Pangasius Sutchi, already described earlier.

The iridescent shark is from the Mekong basin, as well as the Chao Phraya river and the Maeklong basin, mainly in Thailand, Myanmar, Laos and Vietnam. They were also introduced into other river basins for aquaculture purposes. They are found juvenile in schools in large numbers, especially in the rapid sections of large Asian rivers, but they are lonely in adulthood. In nature, they feed on fish, shrimp and various crustaceans, insect larvae, fruit and vegetable materials.

They are commonly available in the aquarium trade and constitute a stable food source in Southeast Asian countries such as Thailand or Laos, where they are used as an important food source. In Thailand, it is considered the most important aquaculture fish. The other common names under which they are known are the Pangasius catfish, the Sutchi catfish, the Siamese shark, the Asian shark catfish, the shark catfish, the tiger shark and the striped cout.

There are several variants of this fish. The best known are the Iridescent albinos shark or the Pangasias albinos catfish, which is commonly available, as well as the "short/ball" shapes. The latter form remains smaller than natural fish. Iridecent shark catfish appears on the least worrying IUCN red list, with a stable population.

More info

The iridescent shark is a large catfish whose body shape resembles that of a marine shark. It has a side compressed body and, like the other catfish, it has two pairs of barbels. It has a short dorsal fin on the top with one or two thorns and also has strong thorns on each of the pectoral fins. It has a well -developed adipose fin on the underside and a long anal fin (caudal fin).

This catfish generally has a glow or iridescent in juveniles, as well as two large dark vertical strips. One is along the side line and the other just below, extending from the top of the base of the pectoral fin towards the anterior part of the anal fin. Adults are generally darker in color and often do not have scratches, but they nevertheless keep the brilliant shine that has given them their name. The fins are dark or black gray.

It is a large fish which can reach a maximum size of 130 cm long and which we know that it weighs 97 pounds. (44.0 kg). They generally reach around 100 cm in the aquarium and have a 20 -year life expectancy. There are also other pangasius species which are sometimes sold under the name of Pangasius catfish, namely Pangasius pangasius and Pangasius gigas, which can reach 300 cm long!

Fish size - inch: 51.2 inches (130.00 cm) - they generally only reach 39 inch (100 cm) in the aquarium. Lifespan: 20 years Fish conservation difficulty

Although Pangasius catfish are considerably robust, they are not the best aquatic fish to keep in a domestic aquarium. This is due to the fact that they have reached their adult size, they need an aquarium of at least 300 gallons, if not. They are peaceful, but only if they are kept with fish that they cannot swallow. They are not very suspicious of water chemistry as long as it is maintained clean. And will eat almost anything.

Aquarium resistance: moderately difficult - their skin is very delicate and can easily be damaged, which makes fish vulnerable to infections. Aquariophile level of experience: advanced - advanced, to expert due to the large size that this fish can potentially reach, and the size that the aquarium of this fish must have to grow to its full potential. Food and food

The iridescent shark catfish is an omnivorous species, known for generally consuming everything it can find. Growing up, it is known to consume more living and fleshy food. As they get older, they lose their teeth and, like the pacus, become more and more vegetarian.

In the domestic aquarium, they generally consume all kinds of living, fresh, flakes or pellets. These fish must have a balanced diet composed of green foods and meat food. To keep a good balance, give them food in high quality flakes or pellets two to three times a day, but only give them what they can consume in 5 to 10 minutes. Also feed the health (alive or frozen) or blood lines. You can complete with living foods, such as food fish, which have been quarantined and nourished correctly, to obtain excellent nutritional value. In addition, these fish accept crickets or living worms.

Type of diet: Omnivorous - Asking, Pagnasius catfish will become more and more herbivore. Flocons food: yes Tablet / pellet: yes Living foods (fish, shrimps, worms): part of the diet Plant diet: a little diet - as they get older, they lose their teeth and become more and more vegetarian. Meat food: half the diet Food frequency: Several meals a day - feed them two to three times a day, but only give them what they can consume in 5 to 10 minutes. Aquarium interview

Iridecent Requins Fish are not too picky on water chemistry as long as water is maintained clean. However, they prefer fresh and acidic water, and it is therefore useful to test the pH of the water. Unless your aquarium is equipped with a large capacity filter, change 25 % of the aquarium water every week.

Water changes: weekly - water change of 25 % per week. Installation of the aquarium

The iridescent shark becomes very large and needs a lot of space to swim. An aquarium of 100 gallons minimum will work if the shark is juvenile, an aquarium of 300 gallons is recommended for adults. The aquarium must be installed in such a way as to resemble the original environment of the fish, which is a typical river, with driftwood and river rocks. When juveniles, these fish may prefer to hide from the driftwood. The aquarium must be fitted with a well -adjusted lid, because these fish are known to jump. Due to their large size, radiators and other elements of the aquarium can be broken. They need a large organic filter because it produces a lot of waste.

Social behavior

When they are young, Pangasius catfish like to go to school, but they become more and more solitary with age. It is generally a good community fish and it can be kept with most of its congeners, as long as it is too big to be swallowed.

• Venomous: no
• The temperament: peaceful - This fish likes to live in school, especially when it is young. However, if it is given an insufficient space in adulthood, school life can become tense or fish can become much more lonely. Finally, it should be noted that this fish has a bad view and that it is quite well hanged. The aquariophile must therefore be absolutely certain that his specimens will never be surprised, because he risks being injured by panic.
• Compatible with:
  
  • Same species - fellows: yes - juveniles do not develop well if they are not kept in a bench of at least 5 fish in their species.
  • Peaceful fish (): Sure - it is not recommended to accommodate this species with small fish because they can become a meal.
  • Semi-aggressive (): monitored-can be high with Pécostomes and synodontists. Beware of bichices and aluminum beards.
  • Aggressive (): Monitor - larger cichlids can get along with the Pangasius, but it is not guaranteed. Watch out for large jacks and other species of large cichlids such as midas or snooks.
  • Large semi-aggressive (): Monitor-Watch out for AROWANAS and RED READ CAT FISH.
  • Large aggressive species, predators (): threat - be careful with the peacock bar.
  • Slow eaters (): monitor
  • Shrimps, crabs, snails: threat - is aggressive - it is not advisable to keep this fish with invertebrates because they are part of the natural diet of this fish.
    
  • Plants: Safety

The Pangasius Sutchi is a freshwater fish from Southeast Asia, more precisely the Mekong Delta in Vietnam and Thailand. It is a fast growing fish which can reach a length of more than a meter and weigh up to more than 40 kg. It has an elongated and flat body, with a silver gray color on top and white on the belly. Its head is wide and flat, with large pectoral fins and a bifurcated caudal fin.

Pangasius Sutchi is an omnivorous fish that feeds mainly on plankton, insects and crustaceans, but it can also consume algae and aquatic plants. He generally lives in groups and feeds by filtering the water to capture his prey.

The Pangasius Sutchi is a commercially important fish, especially because of its rapid growth and its imposing size. It is often high in intensive farming in aquaculture farms, where it is nourished with industrial foods to accelerate its growth. The Pangasius Sutchi is also popular as a fish of human consumption, especially in Asia, where it is often used in soups and fried fish dishes.

It is said that the females are larger and more "stocky" than males and that they have lighter patterns (scratches) than males. In general, these differences are impossible to detect at a juvenile age, or at the age when most pet stores offer them for sale.

The iridescent shark catfish has not been successfully raised in aquariums due to its frai habits and the massive size of adults. It is a migratory species that goes up the current to spawn at the end of spring and summer. These breeding conditions are mostly impossible to reproduce in the original aquarium. They reproduce in immense ponds in the countries of Southeast Asia such as Thailand and Singapore. Juveniles are also harvested in wild populations and raised in floating wood containers.

Ease of breeding: Unknown - This fish is too large to be raised in the domestic aquarium, although it is propagated in Southeast Asian ponds as a food fish. Fish diseases

Iridescent sharks are vulnerable to many common fish diseases, such as ichthyosis and diseases related to fungi. Like most catfish, the fact that they are devoid of scales makes them difficult to treat in case of ichthyosis. Almost all Ich remedies say to use them half on the catfish and fish without scales, which is absolutely necessary for iridescent sharks. If they are infected, these fish can be treated more easily with drugs such as melafix, and used according to instructions.

These easily frightened fish also tend to be scratched by the flashes of madness around the aquarium. The addition of a replacement product squirt like Novaqua or Stress Coat can help. For more information on diseases of freshwater fish, see the diseases and treatments of aquarium fish.