Silver Apollo Shark (Luciosoma setigerum): A Streamlined Silver Bullet for Active Aquariums

Come discover the Silver Apollo Shark, a fast, peaceful, surface-dwelling swimmer that thrives in long tanks. It’s perfect for active community tank setups and aquarists who love active fish.

A Silver Apollo Shark in its aquascaped tank

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Silver Apollo Shark: A Streamlined Silver Bullet for Active Aquariums

The Silver Apollo Shark, Luciosoma setigerum, is a sleek, surface-dwelling, shimmering, and superfast freshwater fish that is hard to miss. This fast-swimming freshwater fish brings constant energy to any aquarium with its metallic silver body and torpedo-shaped build.

Luciosoma setigerum is very popular because of its peaceful nature. It’s a great pick for aquarists with long tanks who want something active and striking but not overly demanding.

Don’t let the “shark” in its name fool you; it’s more elegant than aggressive. If you’d love to know more, this Luciosoma setigerum introduction is exactly what you need.

Author’s Note: Check out our post on the 14 Small & Big Freshwater Pet Sharks for more Freshwater Home Aquarium compatibile shark lookalikes.

This Silver Apollo Shark care overview covers everything you need to know, from natural behavior to feeding routines and tank mates, up next.

Native Habitat and Schooling Behavior

A school of Luciosoma setigerum displaying their reflective silver color

You’d find Silver Apollo Sharks gliding through the rivers and streams of Southeast Asia, especially in Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia. These Southeast Asian freshwater species prefer slow to moderate water currents, lots of swimming room, and most importantly, company.

As a classic schooling fish, they thrive in groups. In their native habitat, they move together in shimmering waves just under the water’s surface. That Luciosoma river habitat vibe is something you’d definitely want to recreate at home, to keep them feeling safe and social.

They’re truly surface-dwelling aquarium fish, cruising the top levels of the tank easily. Although they don’t venture down often, they’ll dart across the surface in dazzling formations, especially when feeding or scared. It’s a really beautiful sight, and it’s one of the reasons why they are perfect for open-top community tanks.

Tank Setup for Silver Apollo Sharks: Space, Flow, and Light

A Silver Apollo Shark swimming through driftwood in its tank

Setting up a proper tank for these guys isn’t complicated; it requires proper planning, space, and smart design. Here are three key Silver Apollo Shark tank requirements for a perfect setup.

Tank Size

If you’re planning to keep a small group, start with a minimum of 75 gallons. Because they’re fast abd active top-level swimmers, it’s best to go with a tank that’s longer than tall.

Tank Features

If you’re building an aquarium for top-level swimmers like Silver Apollo sharks, then the following features are essential. Your tank must have open swimming zones so that they can swim and school freely without collisions.

Silver Apollo sharks jump when startled or excited, so make sure your lid is escape-proof. Also use a high-quality filter to keep water oxygenated and the current moderated.

Substrate & Decor

Although the Silver Apollo Sharks don’t spend most of their time at the bottom levels of the tank, that doesn’t mean you should ignore what you use there. Use a soft substrate to help with the overall tank health and keep bottom-dwellers happy, if you’ve got any.

Avoid tall items that may block the surface, add some shaded corners, and floating plants like water lettuce to help them feel more at ease. Keep the light in your tank dim because bright lights can stress your fish out.

If your goal is an active fish tank setup that’s as sleek as it’s functional, this is the blueprint.

Physical Traits and Growth Potential

A horizontal black line runs through its metallic silver body from nose to tail

Luciosoma setigerum identification is pretty easy, and here’s a closer look at what makes them stand out:

Color Pattern

The first thing you’ll notice is that metallic silver body. Their bodies are coated in a reflective silver that catches the light beautifully. There’s a subtle horizontal black line that runs from nose to tail, adding contrast and giving their slender shape even more definition. It’s a simple but elegant and mesmerizing in motion.

Unique Traits

These fish are shaped like they were made to race. The combination of slender, torpedo-like bodies and deeply forked tails makes them natural sprinters in the aquarium.

At full size, expect them to reach 6 to 8 inches. This medium-sized aquarium shark lookalike is too big for a nano home aquarium, and bold enough to stand out in large tanks. If you’re into reflective tropical fish, they’re one of the best out there.

Feeding Routine for Energy and Growth

Brine shrimps are an excellent protein source

Silver Apollo Sharks are fast, energetic, and always on the move, which means they need food that fuels their constant movement. They are omnivorous, and this Silver Apollo Shark feeding guide balances protein and plant-based foods for their lifestyle.

Feeding Frequency

Feed them 2–3 times daily in small portions. They have a fast metabolism, so spreading out their meals helps to maintain energy and avoid overfeeding and poor water quality.

Diet Suggestions

A solid diet for schooling top-level fish like Silver Apollo Sharks includes floating flakes or micro pellets as their daily base, insect larvae and brine shrimp for protein, a touch of spirulina or veggies-based flakes for added nutrition.

Because they spend so much time near the surface, prioritize floating food for these active fish. Tossing in live food once or twice a week can keep them stimulated and engaged during feeding time, and also bring out their natural hunting reflexes.

Author’s Note: For more on feeding your aquatic pets check out The Ultimate Guide to Fish Food: Pros and Cons & Best Choices!

Tank Mate Recommendations: Fast, Friendly, and Fearless

The rainbow fish is a compatible tank mate

Schooling fish compatibility is all about matching energy levels. Silver Apollo sharks are peaceful and sociable, but they’re also fast. It’s best to keep them with tank mates that won’t stress them out.

Compatible Species

The best tank mates for Silver Apollo Sharks are those that can keep up. Stick with similarly active and mid-water species like giant danios, rainbowfish, and silver dollars.

And always keep Apollo sharks in groups of at least four to reduce anxiety and encourage schooling behavior. Lone sharks tend to be nervous and more prone to jumping.

Tankmate Species to Avoid

Avoid long-finned species, overly territorial fish like some cichlids, and slow and easily stressed fish like bettas or gouramis.

A peaceful Luciosoma setigerum community tank is one where no one is being chased or left behind.

Breeding and Reproductive Behavior

Breeding Silver Apollo Shark in home aquariums is currently undocumented. So, if you’re thinking of adding this shark to your tank, you might want to manage your expectations. But, here’s what we know, or can reasonably guess, about the Luciosoma reproductive behavior:

Breeding Status

So far, there are no reliable reports of successful home breeding for Silver Apollo Sharks. Nearly all available Silver Apollo sharks are wild-caught or bred in commercial fish farms under tightly controlled conditions.

Spawning Behavior

They’re likely open-water egg scatterers, releasing and fertilizing eggs mid-swim. There’s no parental care involved, and they probably require specific environmental cues, like rainy season simulations, to spawn.

Without a large, river-like tank and a lot of patience for trial and error, replicating this in your tank is next to impossible.

Lifespan and Care Commitment

A school of happy and healthy Silver Apollo Sharks

With proper care, Luciosoma setigerum lifespan ranges from 6 to 10 years, which makes them a rewarding addition to your aquarium, but only if you’re ready to keep up.

Size & Growth

In home aquariums, Silver Apollo Sharks typically reach around 6 to 8 inches in length as previoously mentioned. Keep in mind that you may need to upgrade your tank when juveniles grow into adults.

Care Needs

Long-term care for active schooling fish includes a spacious tank, a stable group of four or more sharks, clean water, an active routine, and minimal stress.

If you are very committed to keeping this fish, you’d be rewarded with an aquarium fish with sustained energy.

Health and Tank Maintenance Essentials

Healthy Silver Apollo Sharks are active, alert, and constantly swimming, but like most active species, they’re sensitive to poor conditions and stress. If they slow down, stop eating, or start hiding, it’s time to investigate.

Common Issues

When something’s off in their environment, your Silver Apollo Shark will let you know often by jumping, hiding, losing their appetite, or its signature silver shine.

Aquarium stress prevention for active fish is all about giving them space to move and stable conditions. Since many of these issues are tied to stress, the key is keeping their environment stable and predictable.

Maintenance Tips

To prevent these problems, follow these Silver Apollo Shark health care tips:

Perform weekly water changes (20–30%)
Use a strong filter to maintain oxygen and flow
Reduce sudden disturbances like tapping glass, loud noises
Keep them in groups of four or more

If you’re aiming for top performance, good tank hygiene for top swimmers is non-negotiable.

Conclusion: A Sleek Performer for Spacious Tanks

There’s a reason Silver Apollo Sharks are gaining popularity. With their fast, synchronized swimming and reflective shine, they bring your tank to life. If you’re looking for an aquarium fish with motion appeal and have the space to let them swim freely, especially near the water’s surface, this is your sign.

If you follow this Silver Apollo Shark care guide, you’ll find keeping a group of Apollo Sharks mesmerizing and rewarding. And a Luciosoma setigerum final care tip, keep it clean, keep it calm, and let them swim!