Iridescent Shark Growth Rate?

[Blakewater]

Curious if I were to purchase 2 or 3 Iridescent Sharks at 6" how long they could last in a 96x30 tank with very high water flow? Reason for asking is I already have plans underway to build a 600 Gallon aquarium in my pet room [either 96x60x24 or 120x48x24 not sure which one yet] but it will not be ready until around this time next year. On top of that I will have an outdoor pond sometime within the next 3 years [just want to build a large indoor tank first but I already have the ability to build it]. I have always loved ID Sharks but as so many have said, theyre one of the most abused fish in the trade and I would like to at least be able to keep a few in a "minimally comfortable" cage set up. If before I can transfer them theyll be rubbing their noses raw I'll just shy away until I have my bigger tank. Thanks for all the help!

 

[tlindsey]

Curious if I were to purchase 2 or 3 Iridescent Sharks at 6" how long they could last in a 96x30 tank with very high water flow? Reason for asking is I already have plans underway to build a 600 Gallon aquarium in my pet room [either 96x60x24 or 120x48x24 not sure which one yet] but it will not be ready until around this time next year. On top of that I will have an outdoor pond sometime within the next 3 years [just want to build a large indoor tank first but I already have the ability to build it]. I have always loved ID Sharks but as so many have said, theyre one of the most abused fish in the trade and I would like to at least be able to keep a few in a "minimally comfortable" cage set up. If before I can transfer them theyll be rubbing their noses raw I'll just shy away until I have my bigger tank. Thanks for all the help!

Hope this helpshttps://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/threads/id-shark-growth-rate.339788/page-2
thebiggerthebetter

 

[Blakewater]

Hope this helpshttps://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/threads/id-shark-growth-rate.339788/page-2
thebiggerthebetter

I saw that but from what I saw it was pretty slow with a couple claims of super fast growth thrown in. I wanted to see if there was some other concrete info. But I guess as a general consensus theyre not "slow growing" but they arent "fast growing" thus a year should be okay

 

[tlindsey]

I saw that but from what I saw it was pretty slow with a couple claims of super fast growth thrown in. I wanted to see if there was some other concrete info. But I guess as a general consensus theyre not "slow growing" but they arent "fast growing" thus a year should be okay

Yes tagged a member who most definitely can answer your question.

 

[fishhead0103666]

Why not wait until you get the tank before getting the fish? Life gets in the way of a lot of plans. The “I have plans to get a larger tank soon” often gets interupted by life and the tank gets put on the back burner or never happens.
Ohio fish rescue on youtube recently rescued several iridescent sharks from people.

 

[Blakewater]

Why not wait until you get the tank before getting the fish? Life gets in the way of a lot of plans. The “I have plans to get a larger tank soon” often gets interupted by life and the tank gets put on the back burner or never happens.
Ohio fish rescue on youtube recently rescued several iridescent sharks from people.

Ive always found a way to keep the animals I own happy. I do not let life get in the way or give up on them. I have multiple large tanks of not only fish but animals including a 4.5 ft long water monitor in her new 10x8ft tank. The only reason I am waiting is because if I just jump onto a new project then I dont get to relax and enjoy the previous one. Space is not an issue, money is not an issue, and my residence is not an issue. All I asked was if the specified fish would be comfortable in the meantime while I took a breather so please don't patronize me. I understand in this hobby its very easy to say "ill upgrade when i get there" and to someone you dont know Im sure I blend in like all the rest but Im a carpenter and tank builder in my free time with lots of space and a fiance who loves animals even more than I do so until I own a zoo I dont think there ever wont be an upcoming project

 

[islandguy11]

I've shared this video on another thread -- lady at LFS said it took about 2 years to get to their current size (~2.5-3 ft), on just cheap pellets:

An outdoor pond as you mention would eventually be ideal, in the meantime I would get the biggest tank/footprint you possibly can, even as monster fish go they really are tank busters and can be very skittish at times. But the albinos esp. are really beautiful. Good luck and keep us updated if it all comes to fruition.

 

[thebiggerthebetter]

IME, their growth rate varies for one main reason - comfort.

If your IDS is uncomfortable, it could fail to reach 1' in 2-3 years as one of ours has and countless others have too in other hands. If it is comfortable, it is a super fast growing catfish, on par with RTC and Co, averaging 1.5"-2" a month in the first year.

Genes play a role too because I believe all IDS we get in the trade are refuse from the food fish farming operations. But genes usually pale in comparison to the influence of the comfort factor.

Comfortable IDS feeds like a pig and grows as one. Uncomfortable IDS feeds and grows poorly, freaks out often, is skittish, etc.

IME anyway.

 

[Akeno071]

I've shared this video on another thread -- lady at LFS said it took about 2 years to get to their current size (~2.5-3 ft), on just cheap pellets:

"Ooooh those are cute and pretty I kinda want one- OH GAWD ITS GIGANTIC"
That frontal display tank is certainly effective at showing their size.
If only you could get mini-variants like bonsai of trees..

 

[thebiggerthebetter]

I am of the opinion that there is already more than enough of animal suffering in the world.