Pink Tail Shark

The pink tail shark, also called Hoven's carp or the Asian golden shark, is a very large and active schooling barb and will actually grow to nearly three feet in the wild. Similar in appearance to the pink tail chalceus, these peaceful omnivores will eat flake and pellet food and are very suitable for large aggressive and community aquariums. In the fish tank assume these guys will get to about 20 inches in about three years, so plan accordingly! The fins are all pink and the body is gold and silver.

The pink tail chalceus from South America is a very different fish, but they are often confused in the trade, since both species are called "pink tail sharks".

Quick Facts

Care Guide

Tank setup: These are fast, schooling fish that grow large, so give them plenty of open swimming space, strong filtration and a heavy, tight-fitting lid, since they jump.

Feeding: Feed a quality flake or pellet once or twice a day. They also enjoy frozen foods like bloodworms and brine shrimp.

Tankmates: Keep them with other large, peaceful to semi-aggressive fish such as silver dollars, tinfoil barbs, larger gouramis, plecos and peaceful cichlids. They will eat very small fish once they are large.

Good to know: These "sharks" are members of the carp family, not true sharks. They grow quickly, so check their adult size before buying.