Columbian Shark Home.

[Simpleton]

I have about 7 or 8 Columbian Sharks in a 40 gallon, Yes I realize that it is too small and I am saving to for a 200 gallon and a new place to live ( with concrete floor) LOL.
Anyhoo, Does anyone know what there natural enviroment is like? I would like it to feel more like home for them.
I had a real problem with them tryin to jump, but ever since i raised the salinity and put some fake plants floating on the top they have stopped.
Oh and just in case anyone wanted to know, they are a schooling fish, they don't ever separate. And they are extremly skitish, so don't put them in a place of high traffic.
Craig

[MORPHEUS]

smiley*I HAVE JUST ADDED A COLUMBIAN SHARK CAT TO MY TANK AND WOULD BE GRATEFUL FOR ANY INFORMATION ANYONE HAS ON THEM.

[Simpleton]

I have some hehehe.
Actually they are a brackish fish. But I am sure you know that.
They like to hide a lot, and they don't like to be alone.
They eventually need lots of room, as they grow really big.
The tank doesn't have to be very deep as they never come to the surface, unless to feed.
Oh make sure the tank is in a low traffic area cause they frighten very easily.

Craig

[MORPHEUS]

THX FOR THE INFO IVE READ ON THIS SITE THAT THEY ARE BRACKISH FISH BUT MY LFS SAID THAT THEY ARE OK IN FRESHWATER WHEN THEY ARE YOUNG MINES ONLY SMALL ABOUT 3 INCHES.WHAT DO YOU RECOMEND SHOULD I ADD SALT ALSO MINES ALWAYS AT THE TOP OF MY TANK AND I AM YET TO SEE HIM GO TO THE BOTTOM IS THIS NORMAL.

[Simpleton]

Hello again.

If your shark is just a baby i wouldn't worry about adding salt right away. Give it some time to adjust to the tank.
Is there any other fish in the tank with him?

After about 3 months or so I would start adding salt, but slowly during water changes. And give it some hiding places. They love PCV pipes to play in. Remember it has to be marine salts, just like in a salt water tank.
Also you said that he is swimming on the top area, don't worry he is baby and is probably exploring. He will head to the bottom eventually.

I noticed after awhile that my sharks hated light and only come out at night now to play in the open.

Good Luck

Craig

[MORPHEUS]

ley*thx again for the info yes their are other fish in with him i have 1 pictus 1 plco 1 stripped dorad 3 bronze corys 2 clown loaches 2 flying fox 4 betas 1 male 3 female 3 silver sharks 1 red tail shark and up to now no problems with them.again thx for the help

[Simpleton]

Sounds like a good mix.
How big is your aquarium?
They are brackish like I said but in your case I think it will be fine is freshwater.
I noticed that you have quite a few fish that get over 6inchs, which is a plus and a minus.
Plus is you don't have to worry about the shark eating the others. He is not aggressive, he just puts whatever he can in his mouth.
The minus is tank size.
Your sharks can get anywhere from 6-14 inchs, same with your clown loach. Also avoid chemicals in your tank, they are really bad for your clown loach. Last the pleco get HUGE.
I am sorry if you know all this ready, just making sure you do.
For all I know you could have a 200 gallon tank. LOL(Icandream)
Anyways don't know if that helped?

Craig

[MORPHEUS]

miley* my tank is 5 feet by 2 feet by 1and half feet which i think makes it a 86 gal.(uk).this is my first tank that i have had so hopefully it will be big enough for a while.i wish to that i had a 200 gal tank but maybe someday.thx for advice on clown loaches and everything else

[madhippoz]

I got a 10 gallon tank for christmas, first tank, and I've done tons of research and such. Currently I have 3 Colombian's a pleco and 2 Red Claw Crabs. Heheh also don't worry, I'm in the process of getting a much much larger tank as I realize how large Colombian's and pleco's get. I know that mine really really love having a strong current to swim against, so I think any kind of river type environment would be good for them as from what I've read their mostly a river/lake type fish. So probably lots of driftwood and rock formations with hiding spots would be best. I'm planning my next tank, which is going to be a 50 gallon tank, then when they outgrow that one I'm going to move up to a 150 or so gallon tank. I'm only moving to a 50 first because 1 its a helluva lot cheaper heh, and also I'd like to have 2 or 3 aquariums going at once.

[WilWong]

I lost 2 columbian sharks in 2 weeks.



The first one got trapped under a slate rock.
Or maybe he died already and the fish dragged him under the slate rock.


Cause I went to exchange him for another and that one died in 2 days for no reason. Maybe because I forgot to turn the light off.


38 Gallon

6 Diamond Tetras
2 Honey Gouramis
1 Figure 8 puffer
1 African Dwarf Frog
1 Red Tail black Shark



Columbian Sharks are beautiful but I think i'm gonna quit on them for now