IT'S the little orphan Annie of sharks. An advertisement on e-Moo posted yesterday features a blue iridescent shark that has grown too big for its owner's tank and now they are looking someone to give it a good home.

"We bought the shark two or three years ago and it has outgrown our 80-galloon tank," said Cathie Oliveira, the shark's owner who, with her husband, purchased the shark at an island pet shop.

The shark, which is actually a pangassius catfish originating from Southeast Asia, is an active schooling fish, a species that does not exhibit the classic characteristics of Jaws that would make you skip an evening swim at the beach. These docile fish are happy in a pond or a large tank living amongst other swimmers that are around the same size.

The shark, which is also its name, currently lives with four other fish, oscars, popular aquarium fish that can also grow quite large.

The orphan is now approximately 14 inches in length – however, according to fish experts, blue iridescents can grow up to 36 inches, live for more than 12 to 14 years and require a tank size that can hold 600 to 900 gallons of water.

Mrs. Oliveira and her husband have contacted the local pet stores to inquire about them taking on the shark, however, they don't have the tank space to house the fish either.

"We called the pet shops and the shark is too big for their tanks, too," said Mrs. Oliveira.

While the couple have not received any response to their e-Moo ad yet, they are holding out hope.

The asking price for the fish is $100.

For more information or to contact the owners, visit www.e-moo.com under the "Pets" category.