Diet: Flake, Frozen, Freeze-dried Maximum size: 14" Water temperature: 72-82 degree F Swimming level: Bottom Experience level: Advanced Tank Setup: 40+ gallons Note: Pet availability is seasonal. State and local regulations may vary. Pricing may vary by store location. PetSmart stores cannot match the price above for this pet. Ask a store associate for details.

Overall rating:

3.7

(22 reviews) 19

16 of 22(73%)customers recommend this product.

Reviews for Silver-tipped Shark

Review 1 for Silver-tipped Shark

Overall rating

1 / 5 22 reviews

Lasted only 3 days....

April 18, 2013

by Tropical

fromTampa, FL

What is your gender?F

How many pets do you have?1

How often do you shop at PetSmart?Monthly

My fish tank size is 29 gallons, I asked the saleswoman if was okay and she said yes, I asked about the food and she answered flakes and zucchini, did not commented about brackish water. I bought 2 on sale for $ 2.49 each ..... they died on the third day. My son is sad because is fun to see the way they swimming.

-2points

2of 6voted this as helpful.

Review 2 for Silver-tipped Shark

Overall rating

2 / 5 22 reviews

"Advanced" skill level should be taken seriously!

January 29, 2013

by FishB

fromErie, PA

What is your gender?M

How many pets do you have?5 or more

How often do you shop at PetSmart?Weekly

These fish grow to be very large! Also, the brackish water environment is very necessary for them to live (yes even in the baby stage). Furthermore, through my experience I have found they are strongly affected by any changes in environment. From tank scenery changes, to water changes. Lastly, they seem to be killed more often than not if ick is anywhere in your tank. I had one small fish with a little bit of ick, but within 24 hours the silver tipped shark had not only gotten it but was covered with ick. Which leads to me saying these fish are advanced! I would recommend a tank just for these fish. If you plan on putting anything else in with them, I would try to make them brackish fish.

+7points

7of 7voted this as helpful.

Review 3 for Silver-tipped Shark

Overall rating

5 / 5 22 reviews

Best shark!

October 14, 2012

by FishEnthusiast101

fromNew Jersey

What is your gender?M

How many pets do you have?5 or more

How often do you shop at PetSmart?Weekly

We needed a good bottom feeder to help clean our 55 gallon long semi-agressive tank. We didn't want just any boring fish and when I was looking around the store I came across this guy and I immediately had to have him. He changes his colors to black fins with white lining the edges to see through-whitish fins with white lining. He is extremely peaceful and probably the most peaceful shark there is. I own balas, rainbows, and silver tips, and silver tips are by far the most peaceful shark there is. Although it is not a true shark, it has the same exact swimming pattern as a real sark does. Im not sure what he likes to eat, but I do see him picking on the flakes that sink to the bottom and the shrimp pellets but i dont really know what he loves to eat. this guy will get fairly large- up to a foot long so I only got one since we have clown loaches and balas in that tank too, which will also get very big. He does a great job cleaning the tank, and I highly recommend this playful shark to anyone with a tank at least 50 gallons since they like to swim everywhere.

+10points

11of 12voted this as helpful.

Review 4 for Silver-tipped Shark

Overall rating

5 / 5 22 reviews

reommended for those with some experience

September 2, 2012

by stargrass

fromsaginaw, mi

What is your gender?M

How often do you shop at PetSmart?Monthly

I would definitely recommend this guy but you need to be prepared for how large he will grow. Mine is about 6 inches now and lives in a 36 gal with some about six barbs. he eats mostly just shrimp pellets; when he was young he would come gobble flakes from the top. he is very friendly and poses no threat to any fish i have kept him with in the past. I would try to keep them in pairs in the future or even with other species of catfish, i had him with two eclipse catfish and recently sold the cats because they where ruining my plants and i was becoming overstocked considering they where all about 6 inches. I think he has become kinda lonely so definitely keep him a friend. That being said they can be kinda shy but my guy has become used to me and if you give him plenty of places to hide he will be more comfortable. i use a root decoration, this is where he lives and you can still see him when he is hiding.

+6points

7of 8voted this as helpful.

Review 5 for Silver-tipped Shark

Overall rating

5 / 5 22 reviews

My Parents Loved Them

July 8, 2012

by Anonymous

fromUtah

What is your gender?F

How many pets do you have?5 or more

How often do you shop at PetSmart?A few times a year

A few years ago my parents and I had two of these in with two silver dollars and some two striped raphael catfish, but only after being moved from a smaller tank that had cracked. We had one fall on the floor and we didn't know but one of our dogs bit it and kept trying to get our attention. Both lived for about 13 years, and the one that was bitten and completely dried out was just fine after rejuvenating in water for a few minutes.

We loved them, now it's time for me to think about having my own.

+4points

4of 4voted this as helpful.

Review 6 for Silver-tipped Shark

Overall rating

5 / 5 22 reviews

lovem'

June 21, 2012

by littlemann

fromNC

What is your gender?M

How many pets do you have?5 or more

How often do you shop at PetSmart?A few times a year

i got this fish for my Birthday i loved watching his energetic self swim all over the tank he has just recently died (R.I.P :( ) the weird thang is he only used the bath room in the corner of the tank he lived in a 10 gallon tank with two angle fish and they were best friends
-bye :)

-4points

2of 8voted this as helpful.

Review 7 for Silver-tipped Shark

Overall rating

3 / 5 22 reviews

not correctly labled

June 2, 2012

by donovan

fromWaco, Tx

How many pets do you have?5 or more

How often do you shop at PetSmart?Monthly

this fish is not the silver tipped shark which is another name for a fish also sold in the store (the bala shark) and is actually a colombian shark.

-3points

0of 3voted this as helpful.

Review 8 for Silver-tipped Shark

Overall rating

5 / 5 22 reviews

Great Fish

March 4, 2012

by Argoff

fromMaryland

What is your gender?M

How many pets do you have?3

How often do you shop at PetSmart?Weekly

I've had my silver tipped shark for about a month now and it has grown about 2 and half inches. Its in a fresh water tank with a small amount of salt added weekly. The shark is with two red belly pacus who are about a foot long apeice. The shark gets along with them great and they chase each other often. A great fish for someone who has some experiance.

0points

6of 12voted this as helpful.

Review 9 for Silver-tipped Shark

Overall rating

5 / 5 22 reviews

Great Fish

February 20, 2012

by FishCollector1

fromFlorida

What is your gender?M

How many pets do you have?5 or more

How often do you shop at PetSmart?Monthly

I got these fish when they were about 2 inches long 3 weeks ago. They are in brackish water (Highly Reccomended) and they have grown about an inch in that short time. I keep them with 2 pictus catfish about the same size. Some of these fish are fin nippers and can be somewhat troublesome at times. They are very energetic and active fish. For now they are in a 20 gallon tank doing very well. I am not an experienced fish keeper but they have been doing quite well.

One thing I can say is these are some hardy fish. A little while ago my previous tank cracked and broke from stress on a non visible crack under the tank and I had to move them to my cousins empty tank as a holding area. I see a lot of people saying don't move them, but if you give them time to acclimate to different water by mixing new water with current water they should be fine. Overall great fish in my opinion. P.S. I do intend on moving them to a larger tank once they get to large.

+15points

17of 19voted this as helpful.

Review 10 for Silver-tipped Shark

Overall rating

4 / 5 22 reviews

December 19, 2011

by DarthGecko

fromVirginia

What is your gender?M

How many pets do you have?5 or more

How often do you shop at PetSmart?Weekly

My Columbian CATFISH!!!!! Not shark! Lived for a good two years before he sadly passed. I got him as a baby on sale for $2.50. He was about an inch and he grew to a nice big 7 inches in a 75 gallon tank.

-5points

0of 5voted this as helpful.

Review 11 for Silver-tipped Shark

Overall rating

5 / 5 22 reviews

Not for Beginners

November 9, 2011

by IndyNE

fromIndianapolis, IN

What is your gender?M

How many pets do you have?5 or more

How often do you shop at PetSmart?Monthly

I have over 30 yrs experience with aquariums since grade school. These silver tip sharks are for experienced people with established tanks. They do need brackish water which is honestly more healthy for most fish. With that said, I have had dozens of them over the years and they are so great. I always get a compliment and have friends\family just stare in amazement with them. They grow slowly and can last up to at least 10 yrs (my record). They are docile and get along with most fish except those aggressive ones. Never put a red-tail or rainbow in with them as those are aggressive\territorial and these silver-tips simply love to constantly be in motion. Buy in pairs and just feed them shrimp pellets. Other than that they are easy to maintain and enjoy.

+14points

16of 18voted this as helpful.

Review 12 for Silver-tipped Shark

Overall rating

1 / 5 22 reviews

not for everyone

October 12, 2011

by alvarado123

fromGainesville, GA

What is your gender?M

How many pets do you have?5 or more

How often do you shop at PetSmart?Weekly

these fish shouldn't really be sold at any pet store because alot of people fail to understand what brackish water is. plus they guys require alot of living space (they grow HUGE!!)

point : not for beginners

for those that do own them and they are alive and well in brackish water i envy you i wish i could own them as well but they're to much for me to handle with my bugget...

+5points

6of 7voted this as helpful.

Review 13 for Silver-tipped Shark

Overall rating

5 / 5 22 reviews

April 4, 2011

by hardy

fromCincinnati, OH

What is your gender?M

How many pets do you have?5 or more

How often do you shop at PetSmart?Weekly

Fish is great! I have two and i have converted them to saltwater which is healthier for them. In freshwater they have a lot of illnesses as they get older.

+1point

1of 1voted this as helpful.

Review 14 for Silver-tipped Shark

Overall rating

5 / 5 22 reviews

These Sharks Are Great!

December 10, 2010

by Animalluvr88

fromMonterey, CA

What is your gender?F

How many pets do you have?2

How often do you shop at PetSmart?Monthly

I absolutely agree that these sharks are great when handled properly... I had three of them and they grew from one inch to eight inches long. Unfortunatly, when I moved, my nephew used my heater to dramatically stir their water which killed them, but I just finished getting my water together in my aquarium and I'm going back to get more tomorrow! They do require quite a bit of maintence but really they are easy to handle!

0points

1of 2voted this as helpful.

Review 15 for Silver-tipped Shark

Overall rating

5 / 5 22 reviews

kay

August 3, 2010

by dudefish

fromIlinois, Il

What is your gender?M

How many pets do you have?2

How often do you shop at PetSmart?Monthly

i am getting 1 in 75g tank.they grow 24in but i am going to upgrade.these are brakish water fish and need salt they are also called columbian sharks.they like carnivore pellets,brine shrimp,blood worms,and tubefiux worms. these are rated bad because they are not kept well.but not for bigginers.when bigger feed it hot dogs as treat.{12in+} when it grows big we put it in a 90g.these need aquarium salt ok otherwise get skin problims. You should not hand feed it or pet it because it has barbels. Do not get this if you cannot care for it for all its life. These fish can live 10-15 years. (hardy fish when taken care of) As these fish grow the perfer more salt in their water. When you buy any fish please do your research and dont follow any website that says you can keep a fish in less than 10 gal (exept bettas 5gal+)

Pros: interesting, lives long, looks good

Cons: grows big, needs salt

-3points

1of 5voted this as helpful.

Review 16 for Silver-tipped Shark

Overall rating

2 / 5 22 reviews

Silver Tipped Sharks are...interesting ?

July 12, 2010

by imbettingonalice19

fromSan Francisco, CA

Okay, Ill start off saying that i had 2 off these and 2 silver dollar fish and they got sick when we moved them from on tank to another. So I strongly advise you not to do that. They are nice to watch and it is cool to have a "shark" But they require so much work and need brakish water, they eat fish, etc. I strongly recommend you not to get these unless you have a lot of money to get them the stuff they need and you a very experienced with these fish.

Pros: cool, mix with silver dollar fish, very interesting, very nice to watch

Cons: annoying, needs brakish water, needs a lot of care, definately not for beginners, jump out of tank, get ill easily, die if you move from one tank to another, not colorful, agressive, eat other fish

+2points

8of 14voted this as helpful.

Review 17 for Silver-tipped Shark

Overall rating

1 / 5 22 reviews

June 18, 2010

by Experiment397

fromSalt Lake City, Ut.

What is your gender?M

How many pets do you have?5 or more

How often do you shop at PetSmart?Weekly

ok first of all this is a brackish species that gets huge, 14" is small, they will eat anything smaller then them. i had some 3 inchers who ate some mollies, also brackish fish, that where 2 inches long!!! also they require tanks of 180 gallons plus for them to have sufficent swimming space. these fish require very specific care and are super sensitive to diesese treatments, use them at 1/2 or less strength, even the treatments that say safe for sensitive fish. they are great fish if you have the money to properly care for them.

Pros: cool looking, great eaters, very active

Cons: brackish water, extremely hard to care for, sensitive to dieses's and diesese treatments, gets very large, needs huge tanks

-4points

3of 10voted this as helpful.

Review 18 for Silver-tipped Shark

Overall rating

1 / 5 22 reviews

BEWARE! Brackish water only!

April 8, 2010

by JennyKB

fromBaltimore, MD

What is your gender?F

How many pets do you have?5 or more

How often do you shop at PetSmart?Weekly

Not only does this fish get big (about 14"), it requires a brackish environment (that means partially salt/ partially fresh water). When they list it as for advance aquarists only, they mean it!

+3points

4of 5voted this as helpful.

Review 19 for Silver-tipped Shark

Overall rating

3 / 5 22 reviews

Great Fish but demanding needs

March 11, 2010

by Lombax

fromLong Island

What is your gender?M

How many pets do you have?3

How often do you shop at PetSmart?Monthly

This is a great fish to own but many owners do not realize that this is a Brackish species (needs sea salt). When young fresh water is ok but adults will suffer if not in a brackish environment. They also become very large. Make sure you are ready to take on the responsiblity of a LARGE brackish tank before purchasing.

Pros: lively, entertaining

Cons: needs brackish environment (salt), needs a large tank 120gal or bigger, will eat smaller species

+1point

2of 3voted this as helpful.

Ratings-only reviews for Silver-tipped Shark

Based on the average of (3) ratings-only reviews

Overall rating

4.7 / 5 22 reviews

3 out of 3 recommend this product