Glofish are fascinating fishes, and not everyone is aware of how to care for them. And thus, in order to make one more aware of what this species exactly is and how to care for them, I carried out my research and have formulated this article which is GloFish Shark Care Guide which will give you information about how to care for these fishes, what are their dietary requirements, what are suitable tankmates for them and so much more. Let us take a look.
What are GloFish sharks?
GloFish Sharks are the biggest of the GloFish family and should be kept in a 20 gallon or giant aquarium. Sharks are an excellent addition to the aquarium since they clean up leftover food and prefer to hide.
Adding GloFish Sharks to a tank with other species or totally converting your aquarium to a GloFish tank is a sleek and attractive complement to any freshwater aquarium.
They’re larger than other GloFish neon fish but yet have the same vivid color, making them a terrific discussion piece for fish owners.
GloFish Sharks are minnow-like creatures, not actual sharks. Because these fish, like their Rainbow Shark counterpart, may grow to be four inches long, they should only be kept in aquariums with a capacity of 20 gallons or more.
Multiple GloFish Sharks may be kept in aquariums bigger than 40 gallons as long as there is enough bottom area for each to establish territory.
GloFish Sharks may coexist happily in an aquarium with other GloFish and non-fluorescent community fish and acquire the same care as their tank mates. They’re also bottom feeders, which means they clear up leftover food, ugly algae, and tiny annoyance snails.
GloFish Sharks are the newest members of the GloFish family, which also includes Danios, Tetras, and Barbs. Sharks will come in two hues at first: Sunburst Orange and Galactic Purple.
They obtain their natural color from their parents, just like all other GloFish fluorescent fish, and are not injected, painted, or dyed.
What is the maximum size of a GloFish shark?
GloFish sharks reach a length of 6 to 7 inches. The fish have a shark-like appearance, with long bodies, flat bellies, sharp snouts, and erect dorsal fins.
Males are often brighter in color than females in nature, but this isn’t the case with GloFish sharks since the sexes are almost identical in hue.
When sharks reach the size of 4 inches, they are ready to procreate. If properly taken care of and fed a high-quality meal, GloFish sharks can survive in a well-maintained tank for five to eight years.
Are the sharks in the GloFish family aggressive?
GloFish sharks, like conventional rainbow sharks, are territorial and hostile toward other fish that invade their territory.
However, if you have a giant aquarium with plenty of hiding spots and choose larger tank mates who live in the top sections of the water column, you may keep these fish in a community tank.
Bottom-dwellers should be avoided at all costs since they will almost certainly clash with the GloFish shark.
Is it possible for GloFish sharks to coexist?
Juvenile GloFish sharks can be kept together since they are tolerant of one another and are fairly cautious. However, as the fish age, they become more aggressive. Therefore solitary specimens are preferred.
Because they are solitary fish in nature, they are not naturally shoaling, and they will attack other fish of their species.
If you want to maintain a pair of sharks together, you’ll need a massive tank with at least one square meter of floor area for each fish.
What fish are good tank mates for GloFish sharks?
When it comes to choosing suitable Glofish tank mates, there’s a common rule: In a nutshell, it depends on the type of Glofish you have or desire.
In general, small tropical schooling fish such as gouramies, guppies, rasboras, dwarf cichlids, and others are a good match. Remember that calm bottom-dwellers like loaches and plecos should not be kept with a Glo shark.
Glo Danios and Glo tetras will both benefit from the companionship of other fast swimming community fish. Just make sure that each species’ water temperature needs are compatible.
Because Glo sharks have a more aggressive disposition, they should be housed with other robust or speedy fish.
GloFish shark care guide
A GloFish shark would undoubtedly be a spectacular addition to your home aquarium. However, before you go out and get one, you’ll need to know how to take care of it.
Size of Tank
GloFish sharks are active bottom-dwellers who require a large tank with plenty of swimming room. As a result, rather than a bowl-shaped tank or a towering design, we prefer a long, shallow tank.
A top or cover slide should also be installed to prevent your fish from leaping out of the tank, which can occur when additional fish are added to a setup.
For one shark, a tank of at least 50 gallons is ideal. If you are looking to retain more than one specimen, you’ll need an aquarium with a minimum length of 6 feet and a capacity of 125 gallons.
Prepare the Tank
GloFish sharks require safe havens that they may claim as their own. Include a variety of overhangs, caves, driftwood, and dense flora that the fish may use as their own personal place.
Fine, sandy gravel is the greatest substrate for sharks since it won’t hurt them when they swim down the tank’s bottom.
Filter
Sharks dwell in rivers in the wild, where the water is well-oxygenated, and the currents are pretty strong. You’ll need a mechanical filtration system with excellent flow in the aquarium, and an aquarium bubbler to supply additional oxygen to the water is a smart option.
GPH is the unit of measurement for filtration systems, and you’ll notice that value displayed on the product package.
The GPH stands for Gallons Per Hour, and it relates to the unit’s water circulation capacity. A GPH of at least five times the total water capacity of your aquarium is ideal.
For example, if you have a 55-gallon tank, you’ll need a filter unit with a GPH of at least 200. It’s crucial to remember that the GPH is calculated based on an empty aquarium or one with a small number of fish, so pick a filter with a slightly greater GPH than you require.
Check Water Conditions
The water temperature for GloFish sharks should be between 75 and 81 degrees Fahrenheit because they are a tropical species.
Light
Sharks don’t require any special illumination, and a standard broad-spectrum lighting unit is sufficient for providing the light that living plants require for photosynthesis.
However, if you use an LED lighting unit with blue or black lights, the brilliant colors of your GloFish will genuinely pop! The GloFish Cycle Light is another choice, with four distinct light settings that accentuate the colors of your fish and tank décor entirely.
Nutrition and Diet
GloFish Sharks are omnivores who consume algae, plant materials, and a small number of meat Bloodworms, brine shrimp, daphnia, and other healthy feeds for your GloFish shark include fresh and frozen bloodworms, brine shrimp, daphnia, and more.
If you decide to keep young sharks, make sure to feed them a high-quality diet to ensure that they develop correctly and retain their vibrant coloring. Feed your GloFish twice a day, simply giving them enough to eat in a few minutes.
Are GloFish Sharks good for beginners?
It is possible that GloFish is a decent choice for novices, depending on the species that you pick.
Some fish, like other fish, require more sophisticated care than others, so prospective owners should conduct thorough study on the fish they wish to purchase before making a purchase.
GloFish Sharks Breeding
Unfortunately, because of the aggressive nature of GloFish sharks, breeding them in a home aquarium is nearly difficult. As a result, professionally grown GloFish sharks may be found in pet stores and on the internet.
General Health and Disease
GloFish Sharks are tough fish that don’t have many health issues if you maintain their tank clean, control the water conditions properly, and feed them a high-quality diet.
Your sharks should be busy, continuously searching for algae to eat and chasing away any fish that get too close to their domain. Trouble might be developing if your fish get drowsy or lose interest in feeding.
Below mentioned are some of the usual fish illnesses that might harm GloFish sharks:
Ich
White spot sickness is another name for ich. When fish are affected by the aquatic parasite Ichthyophthirius multifiliis, the disease develops. Infected fish initially brush against solid objects in the aquarium as a reaction to the parasites’ itchiness.
As the sickness spread, a sprinkling of white dots appears on the fish’s body, fins, and gill covers.
If left untreated, ich can be lethal. Increase the water temper in the tank to 84 degrees Fahrenheit for three to four days to disturb the parasites’ lifecycle, and add a white spot illness medicine to the tank.
Fungus
Fungus is typically seen in fish housed in unclean tanks or in poor water conditions. The condition is most likely caused by fungus if you observe white, fluffy growths on your fish’s body, fins, or head. Antifungal medicine can be used to treat fungus.
Infections caused by bacteria
Many bacteria species dwell in fish tanks, producing issues mainly when the fish get stressed or suffer an injury that gives an access route for the bacteria.
Bacterial infections may be managed in the aquarium by using antibiotic medicine and performing frequent water changes.
Conclusion
These sharks are the most recent addition to the GloFish color morphs, which have been generated through genetic alteration. Although these neon-bright fish may not be to everyone’s taste, they may provide a splash of color to your aquarium and are quite easy to care for.
GloFish Sharks are challenging tiny organisms with only the most basic of needs. The main drawback is that they are not communal fish. Therefore you must carefully select their tank mates.
FAQs
Do GloFish sharks like to hide?
Sharks are an excellent addition to the aquarium since they clean up leftover food and prefer to hide. GloFish Sharks are the biggest of the GloFish family and should be kept in a 20 gallon or bigger aquarium.
Will GloFish fight each other?
GloFish do appear to fight one another on occasion. This occurs as a result of their territorial nature and needs for additional area. It can also occur when too few or too many of their own species are in the tank. If they’re in pain, these fish get stressed.
How many GloFish can be in a tank?
These fishes flourish in groups; therefore, at least 5 of the same species are advised. A 20-gallon tank will be enough if you plan on obtaining 5 to 6 Glofish. Keeping them in 3, 5, or 10 liters of water can cause them to have a terrible quality of life and become aggressive.
