Silver Sharks

[mattybee]

Hi,

Just set up my new tank - waiting for a week or 2 before i put my fish in, but before i get some fish i wanted to check to see if Silver Sharks would pose a threat if i had 4 or 5 Neon Tetras in. Or basically would having Silver sharks pose a threat to anyother fish

Is is worth getting some if they eat everything in sight.

Thanks

 

[andywg]

The main problem with silver sharks is that they need shoals ( I have always found at least 5 to go well) and they get big. Expect at least 10" of skittish fast moving fish, and plan for a foot. I am not a fan of putting them in less than 6 feet unless you have a wide tank front to back.

I am not aware of silvers taking a fish as large as a neon though, as usual, if the fish fits in the mouth it is at risk.

 

[timmystood]

Silver Sharks are community fish so will pose no threat to your Neon's but as andywg says, your going to need minimum of 5 feet in tank lenght for even 1 or 2 silver sharks.

 

[martyn413]

Hi,

Waiting a week or 2 will do nothing for your tank. You need to cycle your tank by adding ammonia and doing regular water tests.

Adding those fish without cycling your tank will cause them to get stressed (can cause disease) or even worse - death.

Read fishless cycle which is pinned in Beginers section.

Martyn

 

[Spooky76]

Hi Mattybee,

I am fairly new to all this, only been doing it 6-12 months, and I had 5 sharks with neons and cardinals and other tetras. The only problem I found was that they can stress other fish out alot. They thrash around alot and like alot of room. I have had an ill neon which I think would have lived if it wasnt for my shark thrashing around near it I think.

One thing to watch which I didnt know they cant half jump. When I changed tank one took a running jump and landed 6ft down the room, on carpet and lived, but lucky escpe.

In my experience they are great fish, great to watch and very friendly. They move around alot and can get to 12" I hear, but personally I love my sharks and would recommend them.

As people have said though, I would let your tank mature, get it cycling and then get them. It is well worth the wait.

Stu

 

[Miss Wiggle]

yeah silver sharks are skittish and get big so no go unless you've got a nice big tank.

however as Martyn said the first thing to think about is preparing your tank for fish, leaving it for 2 weeks does nothing o make it ready, have a read of the links in my sig about cycling and fishless cycling

 

[mattybee]

Thanks guys for the info.

Having read alot of posts on the forum I now know where to look for information rather thank asking a mate who has his own tank.