Great White Shark
Carcharodon carcharias
The Great White Shark (Carcharodon carcharias) is an aggressive fish that's best left to experienced keepers. Give it a tank of at least 100 litres (26 US gallons), water held at 50-77°F, and a pH of 7.5-8.5.
Captive lifespan reflects typical experience in a home aquarium, not maximum recorded age; genetics, sourcing, and care vary.
Natural distribution
Worldwide oceans
We don't shade a region on this simplified map - your text may be Europe-only, worldwide, listed as "Various," captive-only, or outside the five areas used in the stocking calculator. That tool still scores whether your fish come from similar parts of the world.
Regional colours match the stocking calculator's origin map.
Great White Shark Tank Setup
Treat 100 litres (26 US gallons) as a starting point - big predators need length, strong filtration, and a secure lid. Hold the water at 50-77°F and pH 7.5-8.5, and assume anything small enough to swallow will eventually be eaten.
What Do Great White Sharks Eat?
They're meat-eaters, so feed good-quality frozen or gel foods rather than relying on generic flake. Go easy on portions - leftover protein fouls the water faster than plant foods do.
Great White Shark Tank Mates
Absolutely not suitable for home aquariums. Will eat all tankmates, the tank, and possibly your house. Requires saltwater, an ocean-sized tank, and a very good lawyer. The Great White Shark is aggressive, which is the first thing to weigh up when you choose tank mates. It's a known fin-nipper, so avoid bettas, guppies, and other slow, long-finned fish. It's predatory, so anything small enough to fit in its mouth will be treated as food rather than a companion. Before you buy, run your full stocking list through our stocking calculator. It weighs temperament, adult size, and water needs together, which a single species page can't do on its own.
Are Great White Sharks Good for Beginners?
Not a home aquarium species - this entry exists as a joke in the database.
Great White Shark - frequently asked questions
What size tank do Great White Sharks need?
Great White Sharks need a tank of at least 100 litres (26 US gallons). A bigger tank is always easier to keep stable, and gives them more room to settle in and behave naturally.
What water parameters do Great White Sharks need?
Keep them at 50-77°F with a pH of 7.5-8.5, steady rather than chased to an exact figure. In a cycled tank, ammonia and nitrite should both read 0 ppm, with nitrate kept low through regular water changes.
What do Great White Sharks eat?
Great White Sharks are meat-eaters. Feed good-quality frozen or gel foods rather than relying on generic flake, and don't overfeed. Feed small amounts once or twice a day, and remove anything they don't eat.
Are Great White Sharks good for beginners?
Great White Sharks are not a beginner species. They need precise conditions and consistent maintenance, so build experience with hardier fish before keeping them.
Common mistakes with Great White Sharks
- Underestimating tank size - the minimum footprint is 100 litres (26 US gallons); impulse buying into a smaller tank leads to stress and shortened lifespan.
- Adding to a new tank - Great White Sharks need a fully cycled, stable aquarium; ammonia spikes in new setups are usually fatal.
- Mixing with long-finned fish - Great White Sharks will nip at bettas, angelfish, and other fish with flowing fins, causing stress and infection risk.
Building a community? Run the full list through the stocking calculator before you add anything else.
