Minimum Requirements

[rykitten]

My 26 gallon tank at work consists of:

2 columbian sharks
2 blackskirt tetras
2 plattys
1 swordtail
1 ramshorn snail

I've been bugging my boss about getting a bigger tank for the sharks and he finally told me to start looking! I am very happy right now.

He is planning on moving the 26 gal. into his office. I'm sure I'll still do the maintenance which is fine with me. Less time sitting at my desk working.

I need to know, what size tank do I need for the sharks??? What else can I put with them?

 

[impur]

You will need roughly a 150-200 gal tank. It must be brackish as well. More info:

Arius seemani

Overview:

Not one of the best choices in aquarium fish the Columbian shark is becoming more common in the trade. Freshwater when young and Brackish when mature the Columbian shark can reach a length of Two feet, although one foot is more the norm.


Quick stats:

size: 12-14 + inches (30-35cm)
tank: 48 inches minimum for young
strata: Lower to middle
pH: 6.8 to 8.0
Hardness: medium hard to hard, 8-30 dH
temperature: 75ºF to 80ºF (25-27°C)

Classification:

Order: Siluriformes
Suborder: Siluroidei
Family: Ariidae
Genera: Arius
Species: seemani


Common name:

Columbian shark Shark catfish

Distribution:

Pacific Rivers from southern California to Colombia

General Body Form:
The body is elongated and silver in color . The head is broad, with a large mouth. The eyes are large and protrude from the head. The Columbian shark possesses three pairs of barbels, one on the upper jaw and two on the lower area.


Coloration:
Not one of the most colorful of fish, the Columbian shark is a basic sliver in color with a white underside. The fins are black and white-tipped. The color contrasts fade with age.


Maintenance:
Although sold as a freshwater catfish, the Colombian shark is best suited for the Brackish aquarium. Like most Brackish species, the young are more tolerant of water conditions than the adults. The water should have some sea salt added and measure a salinity of 1.005 to 1.015. The tank itself must be very large with good filtration and water movement. The tank can be decorated in dark colors with a thin layer of sand. Use rockwork to create caves and other hiding places. They are a predatory fish and should be housed with species that cannot be eaten. Feeding is not a problem as they will accept all types of prepared food. Sinking pellets, live insects, earthworms and small fish are some of its favorites. They have a voracious appetite and if not well fed will harass the other tank mates.


Biotope:
Rivers and estuaries of their home range

Breeding:

Has been observed in the wild, but not spawned in the aquarium. It takes places in brackish and freshwater river estuaries. Around 100 large-sized eggs are mouth-brooded by the male.


Have fun!!!!

 

[rykitten]

I'm sooo confused!

Here it says a 70 gal.

Here it says at least 29 gal. (don't worry, I don't believe it.)

Here they say 100-125 gal.

Anybody else?

 

[impur]

I have personally seen these fish at 12". Quite a fish at that size, very powerful. I think the first question you need to ask yourself is are you prepared to keep a brackish tank? In their natural environment these fish migrate to the brackish waters where rivers meet the ocean. This is where they spend their entire adult lives. If you plan to give these fish a quality home, 150 gal tank and brackish water is a must.

 

[Daveo]

You will need roughly a 150-200 gal tank. It must be brackish as well. More info:

Arius seemani

Overview:

Not one of the best choices in aquarium fish the Columbian shark is becoming more common in the trade. Freshwater when young and Brackish when mature the Columbian shark can reach a length of Two feet, although one foot is more the norm.


Quick stats:

size: 12-14 + inches (30-35cm)
tank: 48 inches minimum for young
strata: Lower to middle
pH: 6.8 to 8.0
Hardness: medium hard to hard, 8-30 dH
temperature: 75ºF to 80ºF (25-27°C)

Classification:

Order: Siluriformes
Suborder: Siluroidei
Family: Ariidae
Genera: Arius
Species: seemani


Common name:

Columbian shark Shark catfish

Distribution:

Pacific Rivers from southern California to Colombia

General Body Form:
The body is elongated and silver in color . The head is broad, with a large mouth. The eyes are large and protrude from the head. The Columbian shark possesses three pairs of barbels, one on the upper jaw and two on the lower area.


Coloration:
Not one of the most colorful of fish, the Columbian shark is a basic sliver in color with a white underside. The fins are black and white-tipped. The color contrasts fade with age.


Maintenance:
Although sold as a freshwater catfish, the Colombian shark is best suited for the Brackish aquarium. Like most Brackish species, the young are more tolerant of water conditions than the adults. The water should have some sea salt added and measure a salinity of 1.005 to 1.015. The tank itself must be very large with good filtration and water movement. The tank can be decorated in dark colors with a thin layer of sand. Use rockwork to create caves and other hiding places. They are a predatory fish and should be housed with species that cannot be eaten. Feeding is not a problem as they will accept all types of prepared food. Sinking pellets, live insects, earthworms and small fish are some of its favorites. They have a voracious appetite and if not well fed will harass the other tank mates.


Biotope:
Rivers and estuaries of their home range

Breeding:

Has been observed in the wild, but not spawned in the aquarium. It takes places in brackish and freshwater river estuaries. Around 100 large-sized eggs are mouth-brooded by the male.


Have fun!!!!

I agree.........................I think 8)


Daveo

Dude enter this stuff on the fish index.

 

[rykitten]

I am, but it's more like if the boss is. I already got a 55 gal. approved. I just told him they would need a 150 gal. and he didn't go for that. I am hoping I can shoot for something in between and have happy fish. If not, I guess my only option is attempting to find them a new home.

 

[Daveo]

maybe just a 75 bow front could do,

Here it says a 70 gal.

maybe that will do to 8)


Daveo