13 Freshwater Aquarium Sharks (2025 Top Picks)

As a freshwater fish enthusiast, I have always been fascinated by the diverse and colorful species that saltwater admirers, especially those who appreciate sharks, experience. My feelings of envy were brief, though, when I discovered that certain shark species also inhabit freshwater environments.

If you’ve ever dreamed of owning a freshwater shark or simply want to know more about freshwater sharks in general, you’re in the right place – I’ll be going over some of the coolest freshwater aquarium sharks out there!

While not considered “true” freshwater sharks, these fish do resemble sharks, so they’re as close as you can get to the real deal!

Article Summary

• Freshwater sharks, although not true sharks, resemble sharks and can be owned in freshwater aquariums.
• Some popular freshwater aquarium shark species include Bala Shark, Red Tail Shark, Roseline Shark, Rainbow Shark, Chinese High-Fin Banded Shark, Harlequin Shark, Silver Apollo Shark, and Violet Blushing Shark.
• Each freshwater shark has specific care requirements in terms of tank size, temperament, diet, and lifespan, so it’s important to research and provide suitable conditions for their well-being.

At a Glance…

1. Bala Shark

Bala sharks (also known as Malaysian sharks, hangus, silver sharks, and tri-color sharks) are large but peaceful fish that are native to Southeast Asia. They can easily reach 13 inches in length, sometimes bigger, so a single fish needs at least a 120-gallon tank to thrive.

This freshwater aquarium fish is silver in color with black edges on its dorsal, caudal, pelvic, and anal fins. The Bala shark has large eyes, the latter of which helps it hunt and catch prey.

The Bala shark is peaceful, but it may consume small fish, so it should be housed with other large passive fish like the Siamese algae eater, large plecos, and tinfoil barbs.

Bala sharks are omnivores and are not fussy when it comes to food – they’ll happily eat fish flakes, pellets, and freeze-dried or frozen foods. They also love live foods like bloodworms, daphnia, brine shrimp, and mosquito larvae.

2. Red Tail Shark

Perhaps one of the most popular freshwater aquarium sharks is the red tail shark, also known as the red-tailed black shark and red tail sharkminnow. This fish originates from Thailand, though it is thought to be extinct in the wild.

Red tail black sharks are long, slender, and have torpedo-shaped bodies. They are entirely black except for a red tail (hence the name).

Although some pet stores sell an albino variety known as the albino red tail shark, it actually doesn’t exist – it’s a mislabel of the albino rainbow shark.

Red-tailed black sharks normally reach around 6 inches in length, though some specimens can grow up to 8 inches, so they need at least a 55-gallon aquarium.

Due to their aggressive nature, red-tailed black sharks should not be housed with their own kind unless you have a very large tank. Avoid peaceful, docile fish as they will be easily threatened and bullied by a red tail shark.

Boisterous fish species that occupy the upper level of the aquarium like congo tetras and freshwater angelfish make ideal tank mates as they will be able to tolerate this freshwater aquarium shark’s feisty attitude.

Red tail sharks are omnivores, so offer them fish flakes or pellets, alongside veggies like zucchini and cucumber. You can also give them frozen and live foods such as bloodworms, daphnia, and tubifex worms.

3. Roseline Shark

Another great freshwater shark fish is the roseline shark, which is one of the most colorful freshwater shark fish species you can own. Also called a Denison barb or red-line torpedo barb, this popular aquarium fish is native to Western Ghats in India.

The roseline shark’s natural habitat includes fast-flowing rivers and hill streams, though its popularity in the aquarium trade has caused it to be critically endangered in the wild. 

Roseline sharks have torpedo-shaped bodies, like many other freshwater sharks. It sports silver scales with a red line that extends from its snout, past the eye, and back towards the center of the fish’s body. Underneath this red line is a black line.

As these freshwater aquarium sharks mature, they develop a gorgeous green/blue marking on the top of their heads. They normally reach around 6 inches in length and are extremely active fish, so be sure to provide them with at least a 55-gallon fish tank.

The roseline torpedo shark is a shoaling fish, so they should be kept in groups of at least 6. They are peaceful and make ideal tank mates for large tetras, gouramis, cichlids, barbs, giant danios, and bottom-dwelling fish like cory catfish and plecos.

This freshwater aquarium shark is omnivorous and will readily accept fish flakes/pellets, live and frozen foods, and fresh veggies.

4. Rainbow Shark

Native to Southeast Asia, the rainbow shark is a medium-sized tropical fish that makes a stunning addition to a freshwater aquarium. Rainbow sharks have long snouts, flat bellies, and pointed dorsal fins that have up to 11 branched rays.

Although its name suggests otherwise, the rainbow shark features a black/gray body with bright red fins and a red tail (sometimes the hue can be more orangey). An albino variety of this shark fish known as the albino rainbow shark can also be found at pet stores.

The albino rainbow shark has a white-yellow body with red caudal, pectoral, ventral, anal, and dorsal fins, alongside a red tail.

Rainbow sharks reach approximately 6 inches in length, so they need at least a 55-gallon fish tank. Although peaceful as juveniles, mature rainbow sharks are highly territorial and are aggressive towards smaller fish and most freshwater shark species.

It’s best to only keep one rainbow shark per freshwater tank – some good tank mates for these fish include clown loaches, clown plecos, aquatic snails, and barbs.

The rainbow shark is an omnivore, so you can feed them fish flakes/pellets, algae wafers, veggies, and frozen or live foods like mosquito larvae, brine shrimp, and daphnia.

5. Chinese High-Fin Banded Shark

Another interesting freshwater aquarium shark due to its unique appearance is the Chinese high-fin banded shark, which is native to the Yangtze River basin of China. 

Compared to most freshwater sharks, these fish grow extremely large, often up to 4.5 feet, so they thrive best in outdoor ponds with a capacity of at least 500 gallons.

As its name suggests, the Chinese high-fin banded shark has a tall upright dorsal fin. Juveniles are usually brown with three dark slanted stripes. Mature males during the breeding season are reddish in color, whereas adult females are dark purple.

The Chinese high-fin banded shark is docile and gets on well with coldwater fish species like koi, goldfish, loaches, and other outdoor pond fish.

They are omnivores that enjoy algae, pond fish pellets/flakes, veggies, and frozen and live foods such as bloodworms, tubifex worms, molluscs, and brine shrimp.

6. Harlequin Shark

Next up in this list of the best freshwater shark species is the harlequin shark, which originates from South Africa. This gorgeous tropical fish bears a unique mottled appearance with a cream-yellow base color and black-gray speckles that coat its entire body. The fins are clear but also have a mottled pattern.

Unfortunately, this freshwater fish tends to become less colorful with age – their mottled appearance often fades as they get older.

Harlequin sharks typically reach around 6 to 8 inches in length in captivity, so you’ll need at least a 40-gallon tank for a single specimen.

They are aggressive fish that do not make good tank mates for peaceful community fish – it’s best to keep them alone, but they can sometimes tolerate robust, fast-moving species like giant danios. In addition, you should never keep them with their own kind as they are territorial.

Harlequin sharks are omnivores that will happily munch on algae, algae wafers, flake foods, sinking catfish pellets, veggies, and frozen or live foods.

7. Silver Apollo Shark

Next up is the silver apollo shark, a large but skittish fish that makes a good choice for big freshwater aquariums over 125 gallons in volume. This fish shark is native to Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Vietnam where it occupies fast-flowing rivers and streams.

The silver apollo shark has an elongated body with a forked caudal and dorsal fin that sits towards the back of the fish. It bears a dark-colored line that runs from its nose to its tail fin – its color is silvery white below the line and greenish above it.

NOTE

Bear in mind that the silver apollo shark and long-finned apollo shark are different species – the former is Luciosoma setigerum, whereas the latter is Luciosoma spilopleura!

Most silver apollo sharks max out at 10 inches, but they are highly active, so you need at least a 125-gallon fish tank. They should be housed in groups of at least 6 but also make good tank additions to community freshwater aquariums.

Gouramis, barbs, rainbow fish, and other sharks of a peaceful temperament like bala sharks are some solid choices.

The silver apollo shark is an omnivore that can be fed frozen, live, and freeze-dried foods like mosquito larvae, bloodworms, brine shrimp, smaller fish, chopped worms, mysis shrimp. They will also eat the occasional veggie.

8. Violet Blushing Shark

The violet blushing shark is one of the more unique freshwater aquarium sharks as it is almost entirely colorless other than a subtle red/pink hue around its gills that makes it look like it is blushing!

They are passive, bottom-dwelling species that are native to Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Nepal, and Pakistan.

As they can grow up to 12 inches in length, they require at least a 125-gallon fish tank for a single specimen. They prefer to be kept in schools, however, so you’ll need to add on an extra 30 gallons per fish.

You can keep them with other fish as long as they are of a similar size – smaller fish will be viewed as prey.

Violet blushing sharks are omnivores and can be offered fish flakes/pellets, algae wafers, vegetables, and frozen or live foods like mysis shrimp, daphnia, mosquito larvae, and brine shrimp.

9. Black Shark

The black shark, also known as the black sharkminnow, is a member of the carp family that is commonly seen in the Mekong and Chao Phraya river basins, as well as Sumatra, Java, Borneo, and Malay Peninsula.

As you may have already guessed from its name, it is entirely black, though it can become more grayish with age. Black sharks are gigantic fish that can easily reach between 30 to 35 inches in length, so a tank size of at least 200 gallons is required.

They are territorial and aggressive by nature, so they should be kept with other fish of a similar size and semi-aggressive temperament.

These fish will readily accept fish flakes/pellets, algae wafers, veggies, and frozen and live foods like tubifex worms and daphnia.

10. Red Finned Cigar Shark

The red finned cigar shark is a large shoaling freshwater fish native to Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam.

These fish are extremely difficult to keep as they require huge aquariums to accommodate their size (they can grow more than 24 inches in length!), as well as have high energy and demanding care needs.

Only expert fish keepers with at least a 180-gallon aquarium for a single fish (ideally, much, much bigger as they like to be in groups of at least 6) should attempt to own them.

Red finned cigar sharks can be housed with other large, peaceful fish, but they will require at least two powerful external canister filters to keep the water quality pristine as they are sensitive to nitrates and organic wastes.

While much of their diet is plant matter and algae, they are classed as omnivores that will eat smaller fish or invertebrates that can fit inside their mouths. They can be fed flake foods, pellets, algae wafers, vegetables, and frozen and live foods.

11. Iridescent Shark

The iridescent shark is a species of shark catfish that originates from Southeast Asia. While its care needs are fairly easy, these fish can grow very large, usually up to 4.3 feet once mature.

You’ll need at least a 300-gallon tank for a single fish, though they are a schooling species that prefers to be kept in groups. This fish is naturally skittish, more so when they are housed alone.

Other large, peaceful fish species like large plecos and silver dollars will get on well with iridescent sharks, though you’ll need to make sure you have a big enough enclosure.

Iridescent sharks get their name from their silvery appearance that has a gorgeous iridescent sheen to it.

This catfish shark species is an omnivore that can be offered flake food, pellets, veggies, and frozen and live foods like bloodworms, feeder fish, and worms.

12. Golden Shark

The golden shark, also known as the Hoven’s carp, mad barb, and sultan fish, is a member of the barb family. It’s native to Thai-Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, and Borneo. Golden sharks get their name from the golden hue they have to their scales.

Like some of the other larger shark species mentioned in this list, the golden shark should only be considered by expert aquarists with big fish tanks. These fish need a lot of space, especially as they can grow between 30 to 40 inches in length.

They are energetic, schooling fish that should be kept in groups to thrive (yet another reason why they need massive enclosures!). Personally, I wouldn’t keep a single fish in anything less than a 250-gallon (ideally much bigger!).

The mad barb is peaceful and can be kept with other large, passive fish. They are omnivores that will eat just about anything you offer them, but good choices include shrimp, insect larvae, high-quality fish flakes/pellets, and green veggies.

13. Columbian Shark

Another fascinating fish is the Columbian shark, also known as the Columbian shark catfish and Tete sea catfish. Interestingly, this fish’s water chemistry preference changes throughout its life.

Columbian sharks are commonly found in South and Central America in Pacific-draining rivers and estuaries.

While they are commonly sold as “freshwater” fish, this species actually prefers a bit of salinity and will need to live in a brackish tank once they mature into juveniles. Very young fish can live in freshwater for a little while, but they will eventually require saltwater.

NOTE

Despite not being a pure “freshwater” shark, I still thought his species was worth mentioning!

The Columbian shark is a shiny silver color with a triangular dorsal fin, large anal and pectoral fins, and long whiskers around their snout. It can reach 10 to 14 inches in length (some specimens have been known to grow as big as 20 inches!), so a single fish needs at least 75 gallons.

Columbian sharks are schooling fish, so they prefer to be kept in groups of at least 3. They are peaceful, so can be kept with other passive brackish species.

As omnivores, they’ll eat fish flakes, sinking pellets, frozen and live foods, as well as veggies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Freshwater sharks are freshwater species of fish that resemble sharks! Although not true sharks, their long snouts and torpedo-shaped bodies make them look a lot like sharks.

This will vary depending on the species of freshwater shark and their temperament. For instance, bala sharks are peaceful fish that can live with other fish of a similar nature and size.

Harlequin sharks, on the other hand, are aggressive and do best when housed alone without fish or with their own kind.

Freshwater sharks have different sizes depending on the species. For example, Chinese high-fin banded sharks can grow to a whopping 4.5 feet in length, whereas roseline sharks normally max out at 6 inches.

Any of the freshwater sharks listed above can be kept in an aquarium, including the harlequin shark, bala shark, red-tailed shark, and iridescent shark.

Bear in mind that most freshwater sharks named as such are not true sharks – their names come from their resemblance to sharks. True sharks are hard to keep in home aquariums due to their size and challenging care requirements.

In addition, only select species of true sharks are legal to keep as pets, such as the bamboo shark, coral catshark, and wobbegong.

Rainbow sharks, roseline sharks, and red tail sharks are among the smallest freshwater sharks for an aquarium as they all reach around 6 inches in length.

While this differs depending on the species’ dietary preferences, most freshwater sharks are omnivores that eat a combination of meaty foods and plant matter.

As such, a freshwater shark tank will benefit from fish flakes, frozen or live foods such as bloodworms, brine shrimp, and mosquito larvae, as well as veggies like zucchini and cucumber.

The iridescent shark is a type of freshwater shark that resembles a catfish as it is a species of shark catfish.

Some true freshwater sharks like bull sharks can be eaten provided they are prepared correctly. Freshwater “sharks” in the aquarium trade are generally unsafe to eat as they have not been raised in conditions that are safe for human consumption.