Iridescent shark
Pangasianodon hypophthalmus
130 cm
Adult size
5000 L
Minimum volume
5
Minimum group
15 years
Lifespan
Water parameters
Understand these values- Genus
- Pangasianodon
- Diet
- omnivore
- Social life
- shoal
In the wild
Overview
The iridescent shark, formerly called Pangasius sutchi, is sold very small (5 to 8 cm), silvery and bluish, with no information on its adult size: it exceeds one metre. It therefore ends up in many completely unsuitable beginners' tanks. Mass-bred, it is also widely farmed for food. In the wild it is listed as endangered.
- Scientific name
- Pangasianodon hypophthalmus (Sauvage, 1878)
- Classification
- Siluriformes › Pangasiidae
- IUCN Red List
- Endangered (EN)
Natural habitat
Lower Mekong (Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam), Chao Phraya and Mae Klong; introduced elsewhere for aquaculture
Observations (GBIF) and localities Native countries Rivers and lakes
An open-water fish, it lives in the main channels and large tributaries. A migratory species, it travels up the Mekong to spawn. It can breathe air.
Behaviour
Not aggressive, but it eats much smaller fish, disturbs calm species with its constant activity and is intimidated by aggressive ones. It is only suited to public aquariums or very large ponds, with large Doradidae, pacu or large cyprinids. An omnivore: protein for young fish (worms, pellets), more plant matter with age.
Sources:FishBase Seriously Fish GBIF · Base map: Natural Earth