help to identify fish species name?

Question

Ok i want to know the name of this fish, that you can buy in a uk pet store, just I can't remember it name.

The fish that was in the tank was about 4-6 inches long but can grow to about a foot. The shape of the fish was long and slim. The colouring was black at the top and silver below and if I remember correctly where the black and silver merged was like a pencil line of blue.

I can't remember if it was a tropical or fresh water fish. All I can remember was that it was below £3 a fish (that might narrow down the search). Also I remember either it had the the word shark in its name or was slightly related to the shark.

Any help would be great, as I'm thinking of getting a pair and would like to get the set up ready before I purchase the fish. I know what your thinking why don't I just go back to the pet store but the nearest store is over 30miles away so I want to do research beforehand.

Thanks jed slade for the advice, I think my mind could of being playing games with my memory, I'm 99% sure on the colours but I think I got the body and fins mixed up, if thats the case then the answer could be the silver shark.

Thanks to cmcconnachie2000 for the nice pics but that fish colouring and head shape were wrong.

Answer 1

I'm going out on a limb, but I'm going to agree with cmcconnachie2000. Iridescent sharks are quite variable in appearance as they age, and the link that was posted wasn't the best of photos that I've ever seen. See if this link of a juvenile resembles what you saw: http://www.fishinthe.net/html/fishguide/images/photo/fishphoto_0034_01.jpg

comparison of juvenile to an adult a little more than 1/2 way down the page: http://badmanstropicalfish.com/your-fish/fish6.html

The blue stripe isn't typical of these unless what you saw was in a tank with blue gravel or walls - the silver on these will reflect the blue coloring. Here's what one would more typically look like: http://www.centralpets.com/critter_images/fish/freshwater_fish/FWF_0004491_20010714111328.jpg

Just in case that's not it, see the other catfish/sharks on these pages:
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/scateg.cfm?pCatId=888 - the flying fox might be another possibility on this page, but the blue would be reflective again, and toward the bottom of the fish. This fish wouldn't get to a foot long, either.
http://www.fishprofiles.com/profiles/list.aspx?category=1

link to care: http://www.fishprofiles.com/files/profiles/318.htm

Answer 2

There are many varieties of freshwater and tropical sharks,i kept several of them in with Egyptian Elephant fish,but i never had the colouring you described.You just have to take what you want when you can get it.You can obtain books from the fish shops,or sneak a look as you browse through them,it,s cheaper.

Answer 3

Do you mean fresh water or salt water? There are many of both types of tropical fish. So far it does sound like a silver shark.

Answer 4

Without seeing a picture of it I cannot be certain,but I saw something in my books that fits the description and its actually a catfish that is called a shark and can grow to 7-10" and its name is,'Pangasius Sutchi'. Hope I helped.

Answer 5

Was it the Pangassius catfish

See link for pic.

http://www.aqualandpetsplus.com/Catfish,%20Pangassius.htm

It is black with silver belly and looks kind of like a shark....

Answer 6

I agree it sounds like a silver (bala) shark.

Answer 7

It shouds a bit like a Freshwater shark LOL

Answer 8

hmmm.... sounds like you're describing a silver shark?

Answer 9

maybe a platty and a molly. hope that rings a bell