Paroon shark
Pangasius sanitwongsei
Also known as Giant pangasius, Chao Phraya giant catfish, Paroon shark catfish, Dog-eating catfish
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 72–79°F
- 22–26°C
- pH
- 6.5–7.5
- Adult size
- 118.1 in
- 300 cm
- Minimum tank
- 2,113 gal
- 8,000 L
- Temperament
- Aggressive
- Social behavior
- Solitary
- Tankmates
- With caution
- Swim level
- Bottom
- Diet
- Carnivore
- Difficulty
- Difficult
- Breeding
- No record
- Rarity
- Rare
- Family
- Pangasiidae
- Origin
- Native to the Chao Phraya and Mekong river basins of Southeast Asia.
Overview
The Paroon shark is a giant, aggressive river catfish that grows far too big for any home tank. It is really a public aquarium fish, and only for experienced keepers.
Did you know
Juvenile Paroon sharks trail long, thread-like extensions from their fins, which gives the young fish some of its drama. Those same fish grow into one of the largest and most endangered catfish in Asia.
Caring for the Paroon shark
Think very hard before buying a cute juvenile Paroon shark. It is a decades-long commitment to an animal the size of a person. It needs at least 2,113 gal (8,000 L), with the volume, current and swimming room of a big river.
It is an active, nervous and powerful swimmer that can hurt itself against the glass. Keep the water warm and clean, at 72 to 79°F (22 to 26°C) with a pH of 6.5 to 7.5.
Feed it meaty foods and large sinking items. It is aggressive and will eat any tank mate it can swallow, so it is best kept alone.
Good to know
The Paroon shark, Pangasius sanitwongsei, is a cousin of the iridescent shark in the family Pangasiidae, but far bigger. It has a shark-like profile and tall, pointed fins. It weighs up to 300 kg and is now critically endangered in the wild, hit hard by dams and overfishing. Small juveniles are exported for the aquarium trade despite the adult size.
In the wild
The Paroon shark is native to the Chao Phraya and Mekong river basins of Southeast Asia. It is a strong, fast, migratory predator that roams the deep open channels.
Common questions
What size tank does a Paroon shark need?
A Paroon shark needs at least 2,113 gal (8,000 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.
What temperature and pH does a Paroon shark need?
A Paroon shark is comfortable at 72–79°F (22–26°C) with a pH of 6.5–7.5.
What does a Paroon shark eat?
A Paroon shark eats meaty foods and large sinking items. It will also eat any tank mate it can swallow.
How big does a Paroon shark get?
An adult Paroon shark reaches about 118.1 in (300 cm).
Related species
39.4 in (100 cm)528 gal (2,000 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)Iridescent shark
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