Animal-World > Freshwater Fish > Catfish > Silver-tipped Shark

Silver-tipped Shark

Shark Catfish - Tete Sea Catfish Family: Ariidae

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Hexanematichthys seemanni Photo © Animal-World: Courtesy David Brough

   Though this is a very attractive fish and fun to observe, the Silver-tipped Shark or Shark Catfish gets rather large, up to 24 inches (60 cm). It will need to be kept in a large aquarium!

   This is a peaceful fish and very good in a community aquarium as long as it is kept with tankmates it own size.

   The Silver-tipped Shark or Shark Catfish is actually a brackish water fish! So they would prefer hard water with salt added. As with many of the livebearers, 1-1.25 teaspoons per gallon of non-iodized salt is usually recommended.

   This fish has a venom on the spines that causes wounds to heal slowly so be careful when handling them!

For more Information on keeping this fish see:
Guide to a Happy, Healthy Freshwater Aquarium

Distribution:
   The Silver-tipped Shark or Shark Catfish fish are found in Coastal Peru.

Size - Weight:
   These fish get up to 24 inches (60 cm).

Social Behaviors:
   The Silver-tipped Shark or Shark Catfish are generally a good community fish with fish their own size. Can be territorial with member of their own species. (Don't keep with fish that are much smaller since they are predaceous).

Sexual Differences:
   Not known.

Water Region: Top, Middle, Bottom:
   These fish will swim in the middle and bottom of the aquarium.

Acceptable Water Conditions:
   Hardness: to 35° dGH (Can be kept in brackish water)
   Ph: 6.5 to 8.5
   Temp: 26-28° C

Breeding/Reproduction:
   The Silver-tipped Shark or Shark Catfish have not been successfully bred in aquariums. In the wild they are mouth-brooders with the male brooding the eggs.

Availability:
   The Silver-tipped Shark or Shark Catfish is readily available.

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Latest Comments
Love these fish! But I can't keep em alive either. There's nothing wrong with the pH or temp or anything. I had one that lasted about 3 weeks then died and just got a new one today, and he's already swimming funny:( ANGELBABE420 2009-06-09
I would recommend not starting them in brackish water. Start them in freshwater only. As they become juveniles they may like brackish water, but as adults they will make their way back to freshwater. Mike 2009-06-03
I have bought a number of these fish and can't seem to keep them alive. I have a 120 gallon aquarium and it is already set up as a brackish water tank. I have perfect PH and ammonia levels. I only have 2 small oscars and 2 small plecos in there. When I get these, they last about a day and then die. It's as if they die from exhaustion cause they never stop swimming crazy. Anyone have any ideas I would appreciate it, cause I really love the look of this fish. James 2009-05-20
I always loved these fish, the way they "patrol" the tank (55 gal) they look like sharks...howver, all mine have developed this white mold looking stuff on them and died. Lynn W 2009-05-18
We haven't had our silver tipped shark very long but we have green tiger barbs and they are killing him! He's missing a dorsal fin, he has paralised front fins, and he's basically life less! He can't swim straight. He swims very fast into the bottom of the tank. Every other fish we have is attaching him, and our other one we had died yesterday. Tim, Tina,Paige, and Tyler 2009-03-07
Some of the coolest comments:
I have two pictus catfish and they are LOADS of fun to watch! They absolutely go mad on meaty foods, so I give them different meat everyday. I also make sure I give them two kinds of pellets on the weekends, but apart from that they are doing pretty well. Since I got them they have become used to me and when I come into the room both of them swim up to me and try to get my attention for food!!! These fish are so hyperactive and are great fun, they make really good pets. NT 2008-01-25
We have 3 6-inchers in a full marine tank with several guppies (yes, guppies can unfortunately survive in anything!) and saltwater hermit crabs. These fish like brackish water when they're young, but are apparently very hardy as they acclimated to the marine water very readily. I have read they are born in fresh water, move to brackish during the juvenile stages, then live in saltwater for the remainder of their adult life. They are phenomenal creatures. They love to play in the tunnel they have, and they love a strong current. I agree with an earlier comment - although it says they are bottom dwellers, they are often at the top of their tank searching for something. But, they only do this after lights out! I have seen no aggression from the sharks, and I love them dearly. One last word - another agreement: they do like a clean tank and good water although they really hate for you to mess with the tank. ruby j 2007-10-02
Comments Dr Jungle REALLY Likes to Hear!
I wish I had stopped by this site before I bought my silver tipped shark. While at PetCo, the girl assisting me told me that this shark only grows to be about 12inches long, not 24. I also got 2 yellow guppies, and she never mentioned that they may end up being like feeders. I think it's interesting that there are so many comments about how the little fish will become food for this kind of shark. It's completely true that when the lights go out, your little fish go missing. Only 2 days later, and both my guppies are gone. Thanks for having a really well maintained site, as I now have a better understanding of my shark. ^_^ Pouncer 2009-03-06
Everyone that i talk to at various pet stores gives me a funny look when i ask them if they carry this fish. The place that I picked the two that i had was wal-mart. thanks for posting this page full of useful information so i can send it to my friends Ian 2006-03-04

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Author: David Brough. CFS.