OCEAN NUTRITION
FEEDING GUIDES DETAIL
Barbs & Freshwater Sharks
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General Information
Barbs and Freshwater Sharks are members of a large and varied family that includes Loaches, Danios, Goldfish, Koi, and also many other species rarely seen by aquarium hobbyists. The term “shark” is used for a handful of Barbs that have torpedo-shaped bodies and large fins like the Bala Shark (photo right). They are not true sharks! In fact, all Barbs don’t even have teeth. Instead, they possess tooth-like structures in their gills called pharyngeal teeth that they use to grind and tear food. Barbs are native to warm, tropical lakes and rivers in Africa and Asia; especially Southeast Asia. Most species are small and silvery to tan in coloration, although there are many brightly-colored species available to the aquarium hobby.