The beauty of the Glofish Shark is amazing. They can also thrive in all kinds of water and are therefore very hardy. They are not suitable for all.

Why? They are known for their fiery tempers.

We recommend that you keep your distance from glofish Sharks as a beginner until you learn how to deal with aggressive fish.

If you already have glofish sharks, this guide will help you to care for them properly.

Glofish Shark Quick Introduction

Name	Glofish Shark
Original Species	Rainbow Shark
Family	Cyprinidae
Origin	Captive-bred
Care Level	Moderate
Temperament	Aggressive
Breeding	Egg-layer
Diet	Omnivore
Maximum Size	6 inches
Care Level	Moderate
Minimum Tank Size	50 gallons
Temperature	24-27 degrees F (75-81 degrees C)
pH	6-8

This is a bummer. Glofish sharks don’t actually belong to sharks.

They are actually part of the minnow family, and more closely related than great white sharks to loaches and carps.

But don’t get disheartened. The personality and temperament of a glofish shark are as powerful and fierce as those of real sharks.

Only January 2018 was the first year that the Glofish Sharks were introduced. In just four years, their popularity has risen dramatically!

It’s not hard to see why they have a cult following, based on what I see in forums and threads.

The genetic modification of rainbow sharks led to the creation of the glofish sharks.

The rainbow shark embryos were infected with fluorescent protein from jellyfish and other marine organisms. This led to their vibrant and luminous appearance.

Glofish sharks can be beautiful, tough, and sassy. It is an absolute pleasure to raise these magnificent fish.

Glofish Shark Lifespan

Glofish sharks can live up to 4-6 years on average. With the right care they may even make it to age 8.

The amount of care and diet given to glofish sharks in an aquarium will determine how long they live.

Your glofish shark will live a long life by living in a calm environment, eating a balanced diet, and maintaining a clean water supply.

What age do Glofish Sharks mature?

My research suggests that there is no age at which these fish will mature. We must look at the fish’s size from a different perspective.

When they reach 4 inches in height, glofish sharks are considered to be sexually mature. This can take a few months.

Glofish Shark Appearance

Glofish sharks look a lot like miniature sharks. It’s obvious. They are not even remotely related to sharks. That’s an entirely different animal.

Glofish sharks are distinctive in appearance. They resemble sharks with their long, slim bodies and pointed snouts.

They have the appearance of a shark because of their upright dorsal fin.

Two eyes are found on the fish’s head, one on each side. They often appear sunken.

The body is round near the head, the back, and taper off towards the tail.

The gill cover, eyes, and mouth all have a distinct line. It may be difficult to see in genetically modified glofish.

Glofish Shark Colors

Glofish sharks are available in five beautiful colors: Cosmic Blue (Galactic Purple), Electric Green (Electric Green), and Sunburst Orange (Sunburst Orange). Each of these 4 colors is patented.

Cosmos Blue is my favorite color for glofish sharks. This fish has an ethereal appearance thanks to its iridescent blue body and warm yellow head.

None of the gossip about these fish being dyed or injected is true.

By inserting the fluorescent protein gene from jellyfish into embryos of rainbow sharks, the first generation was genetically modified.

Traditional breeding then carries the fluorescent gene from one generation to the next.

The colors won’t fade as quickly as in other artificially dyed fish such as jellybean Cichlids or painted glassfish.

Glofish Shark Size

Glofish sharks can grow up to 6 inches in length. Some prodigies can reach 8 inches.

They measure 6-8 inches in length and are the longest of the glofish families. They require a large tank to support their massive physique.

We’ll be back to you!

Glofish Shark Males VS Female

Glofish sharks have a more vibrant and richer coloration in males than their female counterparts. This distinction is not evident in glofish sharks, as both males (and females) are equally colorful.

Females are thicker and rounder than males. This is even more evident when they are gravid.

Males, on the other hand are slimmer and slightly smaller than females.

Gray lines can also be found on the tail fins of males. This characteristic is not evident in genetically modified glofish Sharks.

It’s almost impossible to distinguish males from females in juveniles. Once they become adults, and the females get thicker, it becomes easier to tell.

Glofish Shark Temperament

Rainbow sharks, which are wild fish, are calm and docile. They rarely attack other people. This is not true for glofish sharks, which are genetically modified versions of rainbow sharks.

Sharks can be as aggressive as anyone, and that’s a fact.

They are territorial fish and have anger management issues.

If you are a beginner, I strongly recommend against keeping glofish Sharks.

Glofish sharks are territorial and will attack anyone who invades their territory. This is why only 1 rainbow shark should be kept in a tank.

Glofish sharks can be tolerant of other species, provided they are given enough space. Even fish that they do not perceive as threats to them will be accepted by them.

Glofish Shark Tankmates

Glofish sharks are best placed with similarly-sized, semi-aggressive fish that can keep their ground.

The ideal tankmates of glofish sharks are:

• Rasboras
• Loaches (Can get dicey)
• Danios
• Rainbowfish
• Gouramis
• Tetras

You should not add aggressive species to your glofish sharks. They will likely bully you to death.

These fish spend a lot of time at the bottom so they shouldn’t be kept with bottomfeeders such as plecos or catfish. This will cause a bloodbath.

Avoid glofish sharks with

• Other Glofish Sharks
• Rainbow sharks
• Red-tail sharks
• Bala sharks
• Catfish
• Cichlids

Glofish Shark Ideal Group Size

One glofish shark should be kept per tank. This is the only rule in aquarium hobby.

Glofish sharks are not able to live with other species of fish. They are not comfortable with cohabitation and socializing.

Rainbow sharks, which are wild cousins to rainbow sharks in the wild live a lonely life and are territorial.

This nasty trait may have been passed on to glofish Sharks.

If you have 2 of them, for example, the dominant and larger one will chase the smaller and more subdued one until it dies.

Although you may be able keep multiple glofish sharks in one place as juveniles, as they grow up, their personalities change.

To avoid bloodbath in your tank, you will need to seperate them.

If you insist on keeping more than one glofish shark within the same tank, I recommend that you keep at least five.

The boss will be able to choose from many options. Bullying and anger will spread.

To keep them all, you’ll need a huge tank. I mean 200 gallons and more. Bigger is always better.

Glofish Shark Diet

Glofish sharks may look like they are predators but their wild cousins prefer to eat algae. Yes, glofish sharks can also be omnivores and have a strong affinity for alga-based foods.

They will eat fish food such as pellets and flake foods in the tank. Because they are bottom feeders, it is important to ensure that the food you provide sinks to the bottom.

You can also give your shark small insects and crustaceans. You can feed them once a week.

Don’t forget to add some boiled vegetables to their diet. Vegetables! They will be loved by sharks.

Make sure they cool down before you add them to your tank. Refuse to eat leftovers as organic matter can quickly rot.

Here is a complete list of foods that are suitable for glofish sharks.

• Sinking pellets
• Flake Food
• Algae tablets
• Algae wafers
• Bloodworms
• Artemias
• Daphnias
• Tubifex
• Aquatic insects
• Brine shrimp
• Crickets
• Larvae
• Romaine lettuce
• Zucchini
• Boil peas
• Cucumber

Here’s a link for API’s Tropical Sinking Pellets I give to my bottom feeders. It’s a trusted brand that my fish love.

You wouldn’t mind treating your glofish sharks once in a while.

Hikari’s Algae Wafer is made with pure-cultured, spirulina.

It has a high level of vitamin C, which is known to help reduce stress and boost immunity against disease.

How Often And How Much To Feed Glofish Sharks?

You have the option of feeding your glofish sharks one big meal per day or splitting it into two smaller meals.

Give them a portion they can consume in 5-6 minutes if you are giving only one meal. If you are giving two meals, give them a portion they can consume in 2-3 minutes.

It’s a good idea to break down the food for your glofish shark if they aren’t eating everything.

You won’t need to worry about leftover food contaminating your tank.

While we are often told to avoid overfeeding, we sometimes neglect the fact that our fish may be underfed.

This can cause a slow growth rate and dull colors. It can also cause fish to die.

Glofish Shark Water Parameters

• Temperature: 24-27 degrees F (75-81 degrees C)
• pH:6-8
• Hardness:5-11
• Ammonia -0 PPM
• Nitrite 0 PPM
• Nitrate: Below 20%
• Water Movement High
• Swimming Area: Mainly at the bottom

To create glofish, the brains behind these fluorescent fish chose tough species such as rainbow sharks. They can thrive in many environments.

To ensure that they live the longest and best life possible, you should follow the guidelines listed above.

Rainbow sharks can grow to 6 inches in length. They produce a large amount of bioload every day.

You need a reliable filtration system that can eliminate the food leftovers and gunk every day.

It’s not fair or practical to rely solely on the filter to maintain things. It takes effort every once in a while to maintain the tank’s health.

Ammonia and Nitrite levels in the tank must be kept at 0 PPM. Nitrate levels can rise to 20 PPM because it is comparatively less dangerous.

Your glofish shark may develop signs such as reddened gills and panting if there is a rise in the levels of these toxic compounds.

If you don’t fix the parameters quickly, your little sharks may die.

To test water parameters each week, we rely on API’s Freshwater Master Kit. We highly recommend it.

Only recently did I discover that liquid-based tests are much more accurate than strips.

As long as the habitat is clean, glofish sharks can be cared for easily.

Tanks are closed systems. They require routine maintenance regardless of size. Decomposing organic matter and other factors can increase the tank’s hardness, phosphate, or nitrate levels over time.

Every week, you should aim for at least 20-25 percent water change. There is no hard and fast rule.

Water changes should be based on the tank’s dimensions and stocking numbers.

The wild cousins of the Glofish sharks, rainbow sharks live in the high-flowing waters of Indochina river valleys.

To achieve a similar effect, you may want to add more than one external filter to your tank. A horizontal filtration system can also be added to help keep the water flowing high.

Other methods to increase water flow include:

• Air stones can be added
• Aquascaping
• Adding powerheads to the wavemakers

Listen up, there’s a crucial bit.

Nearly all US states have tap water and municipal water that contains harmful compounds such as lead, mercury and chlorine. These harmful compounds are meant to kill harmful microorganisms in water supply systems.

These chemicals can be particularly dangerous for our aquarium fish, and sometimes prove fatal.

Chloramine, for example, can kill fish when it reacts with ammonia.

It is therefore essential to first dechlorinate water using a reliable water conditioner.

Let’s take a quick look at the daily, weekly and monthly tasks you need to do in order to keep your tank clean before we close this segment.

Daily Checklist

• Perform a headcount to check the behavior of your sharks
• Make sure to check the temperature settings
• Manually inspect all equipment
• Remove uneaten food
• Water level at the top

Weekly Checklist

• Thoroughly clean the tank’s exterior surfaces
• Remove all debris from decorations and plants
• Take out the inner glass.
• Siphon the substrate
• Perform water tests

Monthly Checklist

• As needed, trim aquatic plants
• All activities on the weekly list should be completed
• Change the filter media

Glofish Shark Tank Size

According to Glofish’s official website, glofish sharks must be kept in tanks 20 gallons and larger. This is fake news.

As a minimum, the tank should contain at least 50 gallons of water. However, the larger the tank, however, the better.

Because they are swimmers, it is better to have a horizontal tank than a vertical.

These fish are territorial, as you probably know.

They will explode if they are kept in small tanks.

The majority of the tank will be occupied by your glofish shark. Your glofish shark will occupy most of the tank. The rest of your fish will need to hide in one corner and live a miserable life while they wait to be bullied.

Small tanks have a number of disadvantages, which can directly or indirectly affect your fish’s quality life.

Let me give you a list of the reasons.

Small tanks are more likely to be polluted quickly. It takes much longer for harmful compounds such as ammonia or nitrate to build up in small tanks than it would in large tanks.

Second, smaller tanks are more volatile than larger ones. Even the smallest fluctuation in one corner, let’s call it temperature, can affect the entire tank. Fish don’t like sudden changes in their environment. They will be severely stressed.

A third reason is that small tanks can be a sign of a lack in exercise. Lack of exercise is synonymous with stunted growth. In a small tank, your glofish Shark won’t have the ability to stretch its muscles as often as it would like.

I could go on and on about the dangers of small tanks, especially for fish such as glofish sharks. I believe I have made my point. For now, I will stop!

Substrate And Decors For Glofish Shark

Glofish sharks prefer sandy substrate. They prefer sandy substrates over their wild relatives.

Their colors would be best brought out by dark sand.

Sand is also preferred by hobbyists because it is easier to clean and doesn’t collect waste.

You should choose gravel over sand if you want your fish to enjoy the base.

Grasse that is too sharp and large can lead to infection.

Gravel can also collect waste. Cleaning gravel can be a tedious task.

However, you should use gravel if possible. Also, siphon the substrate often.

You must have plenty of plants and decorations. This will help you manage the anger of your glofish shark.

These will be a safe haven for your fish, and reduce the chance of them being attacked by the great glofish shark.

Even if the glofish shark is kept in a tank alone, it’s a good idea to provide them with many hiding spots made of rocks, driftwoods, or caves.

When adding decor and plants to your tank, remember that fish love to spend time at the bottom. The tank’s bottom shouldn’t be crowded.

You can choose between live and faux plants when it comes to plant options. You should avoid sharp edges if you are using the former.

Last but not least, make sure to cover the tank with a suitable lid. These fish are prolific jumpers.

Recommended Equipment For Glofish Shark

Although glofish sharks are a tough species, raising them requires a significant investment.

You will need powerful equipment with high capacity that can handle large volumes of water, as they should be kept in large aquariums.

We researched hundreds of products and reviewed them all before settling on our top pick for solid heating and filtration.

Take a look!

Cascade Canister Filter 1500

What We Love about It:

• For easy maneuvering, state-of-the-art flow valves rotate 360 degrees
• 5 large-capacity media bags that stack easily for customization
• Simple push-button primer to quickly and easily prime
• Everything you need to get started

Hiccup:

• There were a few complaints about the filter rattle.

Hygger Submersible Fish Tank Water Heater

What We Love about It:

• Warms in 5 Seconds
• Intelligent thermostat provides over-temperature protection
• After the water evaporates, the anti-dry protection shuts off the heater.
• Digital display with 3-digits accurate to 0.1 degree F

Hiccup

• There are a few complaints about the thermostat

Tetra Whisper Air Pump

What We Love about It:

• Pumps can go as low as 8 feet in depth
• Dramatic bubble effect
• Super quiet operation

• Hiccup:

Some people are concerned about the loud noise.

Glofish Shark Breeding

Two pieces of bad news are mine for you.

First, it is illegal to intentionally breed glofish sharks.

Second, it is not known if glofish sharks have been successfully bred in aquariums.

Let me now explain these points more.

According to the official GloFish website, you cannot intentionally breed glofish.

However, if there are glofish sharks of both genders in your tank and they produce very few fry, it is unlikely that the company will send you an official notice.

Be careful not to try and sell or trade glofish offspring.

Next, their extreme intolerance towards each other meant that I couldn’t find any successful documentation of them having children, despite searching the internet for hours. Amazing!

Professional breeders may use hormones or pheromones to encourage their animals to breed.

You can still try it if you enjoy fighting hard. Don’t let your hopes get too high.

Setting Up Glofish Shark Breeding Tank

Aquarium space should be at least 75gallons. If you have the space, go for it.

You can also add liquid de-chlorinator to neutralize any potentially dangerous chemicals.

You can add plants, rocks, or caves to make your fish feel more relaxed.

An aquarium heater should maintain temperatures between 72 and 82 degrees F. A sponge filter can be added to protect your small shark fry.

Next cycle the tank, and then try to replicate the water parameters of the main tank.

Initiating Glofish Shark Breeding

After the tank has been fully cycled, prepped and cooled down, add the bonded couple and wait for about a week to make sure they are comfortable with each other.

You might consider removing them from each other and trying a different pair.

It is also possible to breed by feeding protein-rich foods like bloodworms or brine shrimps, and by performing large water changes.

If you are lucky enough, your glofish Sharks will soon exhibit mating behavior. They can be seen rubbing against each other and circling one another.

The female will lay many hundreds of adhesive eggs, which will be scattered around the area. Soon after, the male will fertilize them with milt spray.

To ensure that their younglings don’t eat the parents after the spawning session ends, it is important to get them out of the way.

Caring For Glofish Shark Fry

Little fry would find a 75-gallon tank too large. They will have a hard time finding food in such a large space.

Transfer the fry to a small container of about 10 gallons. Use a nylon net to move the eggs.

In 36 to 48 hours, the eggs will be ready for hatching. The yolk sac will be attached to the eggs by the wigglers for the necessary nutrition during the first days.

You will need to supplement their diet with small, healthy foods once their sacs have been depleted.

Infusoria can be given to baby brine shrimps, egg yolk paste and pulverized flake foods.

Fry are vulnerable to malnourishment at this stage. This could lead to death.

You need to be very careful about what your fry eat. You should immediately change the food that you give your fry if they seem to be avoiding certain types of food.

Glofish Shark Diseases

Like their forebears the glofish sharks are extremely healthy and tough fish. As long as they are well-fed and protected from the elements, they rarely contract disease.

However, it is impossible to rule out some diseases that can often affect freshwater fish. Some of these are: ich, fluke and bacterial and fungal infection, as well as swim bladder disease.

Ich is caused in part by parasitic protozoan found in dirty tanks. It appears as tiny white spots on the fins and body of the fish and can be extremely contagious.

This Ich-X treatment by Hikari has been a success for our fish.

Swim bladder disease is another common condition that glofish sharks are vulnerable to. It can be caused by a variety of factors, including an injury, digestive problems, abnormalities, or internal abnormalities.

The fish affected is forced to swim sideways or upside down, sink to bottom, float to top, or swim sideways.

Swim bladder disease treatment varies depending upon the cause. If it’s due to indigestion/constipation, fasting the fish and feeding fibrous meals can help.

Professional help is required if an injury or inborn abnormality are the causes.

You can prevent most diseases, including parasitic infestations and bacterial and fungal infection, by ensuring the proper water parameters are maintained and following a healthy diet.

Remember that any addition to your tank, whether it be a fish, plant, rock or decor, could transmit unwelcome virus.

It is important to clean all items before you add them to the tank.

Glofish sharks are extremely resilient, but early diagnosis and treatment can make a huge difference.

This will ensure that the disease outbreak is limited to a small number of fish.

Final Words: Glofish Shark Care Guide

Did you find this care guide useful? We are glad you found it useful!

Glofish sharks are not for everyone, especially beginners. It is fun to see their antics if you do have one.

The glofish shark is just as tough as the original rainbow sharks.

You don’t have to do too much if you do a few things correctly.

Make sure that the fish has plenty of room to move around, and then claim it. The rest will fall into place.