Black Sharks are for those of you with a freshwater tropical aquarium of a very large size. These fish are usually sold at around 5cm - but end up an astonishing 60cm (that's 2 foot!)
Originating in Malaysia, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Sumatra and Borneo they are found in rivers, channels, streams and in floodplains. Due to their weight and size they are considered a good eating fish in these countries.
Black Sharks breed in the wet season in Asia, the onset of first monsoonal rains will see them migrate upstream to spawn.
In an aquarium, Black Sharks prefer a PH around neutral and a temperature between 22°C and 28°C. Keeping plants with this specimen is not a good idea as they will indulge leaf matter. As an omnivore their diet should be varied and they should be offered vegetable matter. We don't have any problem with them taking flake and frozen food as they are not fussy eaters.
Black Sharks should be offered some hiding spaces for them to feel comfortable. They tend to live in the lower third of the aquarium and enjoy having a territory all to themselves. Larger specimens become aggressive and territorial.
Sexing Black Sharks is very basic - males are skinnier while females are plumper. I know this is simple, there are no other distinguishable sexual differences. They are highly unlikely to breed in an aquarium.
Not the greatest fish for an aquarium for most of us, and certainly not for a community tank of smaller specimens.
Black Shark