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Types of freshwater sharks

4 freshwater sharks compared at one scale: adult size, the tank they need, temperature and group size.

Bala sharkBala sharkIridescent sharkIridescent sharkRainbow sharkRainbow shark

4 species

Scroll sideways to see them all. All drawn at one scale, adult size: = 1 inch. Tap one to open its care page.
Bala shark

Bala shark

Peaceful · Middle · moderate care

  • 14 in adult
  • 125+ gal
  • 72–82 °F
  • pH 6 to 8
  • groups of 5+
Iridescent shark

Iridescent shark

Peaceful · Middle · demanding care

  • 51 in adult
  • 1000+ gal
  • 72–79 °F
  • pH 6.5 to 7.5
  • groups of 5+
Rainbow shark

Rainbow shark

Semi-aggressive · Bottom · easy care

  • 6 in adult
  • 55+ gal
  • 72–80 °F
  • pH 6.5 to 7.5
  • one per tank
Red-tail shark

Red-tail shark

Semi-aggressive · Bottom · easy care

  • 6 in adult
  • 55+ gal
  • 72–79 °F
  • pH 6.5 to 7.5
  • one per tank

Other fish families

Types of plecosTypes of aquarium shrimpTypes of aquarium snailsTypes of tetrasTypes of rasboras and daniosTypes of barbsTypes of livebearersTypes of bettas and gouramisTypes of cichlidsTypes of catfishTypes of loachesTypes of rainbowfishTypes of killifishTypes of puffersTypes of goldfishTypes of oddball fishTypes of shrimp, snails, frogs and axolotlsAll fish

Names, and adult sizes where the article gives one, are checked against Wikipedia; care ranges are common hobby guidance, and each species page says which is which. 4 of these 4 are fish. Photos are real photographs from Wikimedia Commons, credited below; the lineup is our own drawing at one scale.

Photo credits

Real photographs from Wikimedia Commons, resized and cropped to fit; each is used under the license named.