Iridescent Shark (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus)

The Iridescent Shark is a large, schooling catfish from the Mekong and Chao Phraya river basins of Southeast Asia, commonly sold as small, attractive juveniles but growing rapidly to over 100 cm under favorable conditions. Juveniles display an attractive silver body with a black lateral stripe, though much of this coloration fades with age into a more uniform appearance. This is a fish for very large aquariums or indoor ponds only: it needs both enormous space and a large group to thrive and avoid chronic stress and glass-banging panic behavior.

Requires a minimum of 2,000 L as adults, with very strong filtration and excellent water quality. Maintain pH 6.5–7.5, temperature 22–26°C. Keep in groups of at least 3 — solitary specimens develop severe stress responses. Feed varied omnivore foods: quality large pellets, frozen shrimp, vegetables. Plan for long-term growth: juveniles are often impulse-bought without understanding their adult requirements. Only suitable for specialists with very large facilities.