What sharks can you keep?
Emma Payne
Published Jan 17, 2026
Some are large, some are small, but all of them are amazing!
- Bala Shark. Despite their somewhat intimidating looks, Bala Sharks are considered to be gentle giants. ...
- Red Tail Shark. ...
- Rainbow Shark. ...
- Iridescent Shark. ...
- Violet Blushing Shark. ...
- Columbian Shark. ...
- Black Shark. ...
- Roseline Shark.
What shark can be a pet?
Here is a list of sharks that you can keep in freshwater fish tanks: Rainbow sharks. Roseline torpedo sharks. Bala sharks.
Can you have a pet shark as a pet?
It is legal to own sharks, which can cost anywhere from a few hundred to thousands of dollars, according to Mr. Raymer. Some species, like great whites, are protected, and cannot be kept in homes.
Can you have a small shark as a pet?
Red Tail Sharks can reach up to 6 inches in size (15.2 cm), though most of them tend to grow up to around 5 inches (12.7 cm). With its rather tiny size, this mini fish pet is suitable for smaller home aquaria. Unlike with most other sharks listed here you can get away with a 55-gallon tank for that shark species.
Is a rainbow shark a real shark?
It is a popular, semi-aggressive aquarium fish. Unlike true sharks, which belong to the Chondrichthyes ("cartilagenous fishes") lineage, the rainbow shark is an actinopterygiian ("ray-finned fish").
28 related questions foundCan you own a hammerhead shark?
We know it might be tempting to make your own Sharknado at home, but not only is it illegal to keep certain exotic sharks in a pool as pets, but it's not good for the big fish, either.
Is a Bala shark a real shark?
These Southeast Asian fish are not true sharks, but their shark-like appearance and size make them quite an intriguing pet. Due to their peaceful nature, juvenile bala sharks do well in a community aquarium.
What is a GloFish shark?
GloFish Sharks are members of the minnow family, not actual sharks. Since these fish can reach up to four inches in length like their counterpart, the Rainbow Shark, they should only be placed in aquariums 20 gallons or larger.
What is albino shark?
The Albino Rainbow Shark (Epalzeorhynchos frenatum) is a longtime favorite in the aquarium hobby. This fish is not actually a shark at all, but is actually a cyprinid (minnow) that is known for its coloration and activity.
Can you own a black tip shark?
A 1,000-gallon tank can accommodate Blacktip (Carcharhinus limbatus) or Whitetip (Triaenodon obesus) sharks. These sharks can grow anywhere from 48" to 60" and can be kept with a variety of reef fish as long as they are adequately fed.
What is the smallest shark you can buy?
Bala sharks.
Because of their size, they do best in a 120-150 gallon aquarium with a secure lid (they like to jump on occasion) where the water temperature is kept near 77 F. Adult Bala sharks can measure 14 inches in length and live as long as 10 years.
Can you have a lemon shark as a pet?
No, lemon sharks do not make good pets. While they can succeed in aquariums, this shark grows quite large. That means that you would need an incredibly large tank to house them in, which would be much too expensive and time consuming for a household pet.
Can you have an octopus as a pet?
Octopuses, in general, are not a great choice for a pet. For one, they are incredibly intelligent and seem to easily get bored. One study [pdf] revealed that octopuses in small tanks outfitted with flowerpots, stones, beads and shells still showed signs of distress and even self-mutilation.
How much does a rainbow shark cost?
Availability. Rainbow sharks aren't as common as some aquarium fish, but many pet stores and most online stores sell at least one species. Because this fish is less popular than others, it isn't always in stock on all websites. The cost of a rainbow shark is about $5.
How big is a wobbegong shark?
Physical Characteristics. Spotted wobbegong can reach a maximum length of about 10.5 feet (3.2 m).
Are Glo sharks rainbow sharks?
GloFish sharks are similar fish to rainbow sharks, and they have pretty much the same care requirements. These fish are members of the Cyprinidae family, having the scientific name Epalzeorhynchos frenatum. GloFish sharks are artificially created variants of the rainbow shark, and you won't see these fish in the wild.
How big does rainbow sharks get?
Rainbow Shark Size
Rainbow Sharks can grow up to a maximum size of 6 inches (15 cm) when they reach maturity. However, the average purchase size is typically 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5cm). Rainbow Sharks can grow fast especially in the first year. In fact, during its peak, it can grow up to an inch per month.
Will glow sharks eat shrimp?
Even though rainbow sharks are typically aggressive towards bottom-dwelling fish, they can tolerate shrimp well because shrimp won't fight or disturb rainbow sharks for food.
Are red tail sharks real sharks?
A Red Tail Shark (Epalzeorhynchos bicolor) is a freshwater shark that is very different from a marine shark – this is a bony fish and not a cartilaginous fish. They are often referred to as the Red Tail Sharkminnow, Red Tail Black Shark, or the Red Tail Labeo.
Are freshwater sharks real?
the river sharks, Glyphis, true freshwater sharks found in fresh and brackish water in Asia and Australia. the bull shark, Carcharhinus leucas, which can swim between salt and fresh water, and are found in tropical rivers around the world.
How big do angelfish get?
Because angelfish can grow up to 6 inches long, these fish should be kept in a tank no smaller than 20 gallons in capacity – the bigger the better. It is also important to keep in mind that this species tends to grow tall rather than long, so angelfish prefer to be kept in tall tanks rather than wide ones.
Can you buy a shark to track?
For a minimum donation of $50 you can name your own shark and receive the scientific data we collect in the field that is unique to that shark. You can support our shark research by naming a shark we tag. When you donate to name a shark, we will tag a shark on your behalf with an identification tag.
Can you have a pet great white shark?
Despite having the best intentions – to learn more about the creature and safely observe them – they'll find themselves out of luck; Great White Sharks are not kept in captivity, for a multitude of reasons; critically, they do not survive.
How big do bamboo sharks get?
The maximum reported size of the brownbanded bamboo shark is 41 inches (104 cm) total length. Adult males reach sexual maturity at 27-30 inches (68-76 cm) in length, while females mature at 25 inches (63 cm) in length. The life expectancy of the brownbanded bamboo shark is approximately 25 years.