An Iridescent Shark (Pangasius hypophthalmus) is a fish. It is not a shark at all but a kind of catfish. They are found in southeast Asia, where they are heavily cultivated for food. They can be found in the world's supermarkets labeled as basa. These fish have caused much debate within the political world, with protectionist legislation passed recently to prevent basa imports from cutting into American farmed catfish sales.

Adult iridescent sharks reach up to 4 feet in length. It is named for its glow or 'iridescence.'

They are a popular type of pets for home aquariums. However it is not an easy fish to keep and is not recommended for beginners.

Iridescent sharks get frightened easily and play dead. They also have bad eyesight so they may swim into the glass of a tank and hurt themselves.

Related links

• More pictures of I-shark