Shark Catfish - (Hemiarius stormii)

🐟 Shark Catfish – (Hemiarius stormii) – Large Predatory Freshwater Catfish for Sale

The Shark Catfish (Hemiarius stormii) is an impressive and powerful predatory catfish known for its shark-like profile, elongated body, and deeply forked tail. Native to Southeast Asia, it inhabits large rivers, estuaries, and sometimes brackish waters. This species can grow to very large sizes, requiring a spacious aquarium or an indoor pond.

With its active swimming behavior and predatory nature, the Shark Catfish is best suited for experienced aquarists with the space and resources to house it properly for life.

🔎 Quick Facts – Shark Catfish (Hemiarius stormii)

• 📛 Common Names: Shark Catfish, Storm’s Shark Catfish, Giant Shark Catfish
• 🔬 Scientific Name: Hemiarius stormii
• 🌍 Origin: Southeast Asia (Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand)
• 🎨 Appearance: Streamlined, silvery-gray body with a high dorsal fin and deeply forked tail, giving a shark-like look
• 📏 Max Size: 35–40 inches (90–100 cm)
• 💎 Rarity: Occasionally seen in the aquarium trade but often misidentified

😇 Behavior & Temperament

• ⚔️ Predatory – will eat smaller fish
• 🐟 Active swimmer requiring large open space
• 🪵 Best kept with similarly large, fast-moving fish
• 🌊 May show territorial behavior as it matures

🏠 Aquarium & Tank Requirements

• 📦 Minimum Tank Size: 500+ gallons (indoor pond or massive aquarium)
• 🌊 Strong water flow with high oxygen levels
• 🪵 Open swimming areas with minimal obstructions
• 💡 Moderate lighting

💧 Water Parameters – Shark Catfish Care

• 🌡️ Temperature: 75–82°F (24–28°C)
• ⚗️ pH: 6.5–8.0
• 💧 Hardness: Adaptable to a range but prefers soft to moderately hard water
• ⚠️ Note: Species is naturally euryhaline – may tolerate low-level brackish conditions in the wild, but can be kept in freshwater

🍽️ Diet – Carnivorous Predator

• 🐟 Fish fillets, shrimp, and squid
• 🦐 Frozen prawns and mussels
• 🪱 Earthworms and other meaty foods
• 🚫 Avoid feeder fish to reduce risk of parasites

📋 Shark Catfish Care Overview Table

✨ Highlight:

• The Shark Catfish is a true river giant that grows far beyond typical aquarium sizes—best suited for massive custom setups or public aquariums, not standard home tanks.