Black Shark

The black shark is a large labeo that lives in the big rivers of Southeast Asia. With their velvety black color and shark-like silhouette, juveniles resemble the red-tailed black shark and are sold for small tanks. However, adults exceed 60 cm and grow even larger in the wild; in Southeast Asia it is also caught as a food fish. As it grows, both its size and its territoriality take it far beyond home aquariums.

• At least 1500 liters and 250 cm in length for a single adult.
• 24–27°C; very powerful filtration, high oxygen levels, a 30–50% weekly water change.
• Large roots, rocks and a large footprint; a shelter where it can set up a territory.
• It jumps; a heavy, tight-fitting lid is needed.

Omnivorous; in the wild it feeds on algae and biofilm on surfaces and organic matter on the bottom. It is fed sinking pellets and tablets, spirulina, vegetables and frozen foods.

It looks shy and docile when young; as it matures it claims a large territory on the bottom and fiercely defends it against its own kind, similar bottom fish and any other fish that enter it.

Good companions: in a very large tank, large and fast species that can defend themselves: large barbs, big cichlids, large plecos.

Avoid: a second black shark and other "shark" species, small and peaceful fish, peaceful bottom fish.