Sharks

[fishn00b]

I was just reading the post in the Beginner's section about Tiger Barbs and a Columbian Shark. I haven't really even though about keeping a shark in a tank and I was just wondering if it was possible? (I'm not planning on putting a shark in my tank, I was just wondering if people have done it and what it requires because I'm interested).

Are there any sharks that are "reef-safe"? And what is the smallest aquarium you would have to have to hold a shark?

I know this is a pretty general question, I was just wondering... If someone has any names of sharks that can be kept in aquariums and what sizes they need that would be appreciated. Also if this has already been posted (perhaps in the profile section) just let me know, and I'll do a search for it. Thanks a bunch.

[leveldrummer]

im not sure about reef safe, but people have kept sharks, problem is they need a huge amount of swimming space, probably 200 gallons or more, (not sure on the actual size, but the need alot) ive seen different sharks in some lfs, wobbegone shark, or somthing like that, i think nurse sharks, there are some small species, but even in a huge tank they usually just swim laps around it, kinda sad imo.

[fishn00b]

A nurse shark is one that came to mind, but I think they get to be pretty large. I"m guessing there isn't that many species that can be kept at about 300 gallons... at least happily, or with any other fish in the tank.

[leveldrummer]

ive seen a couple different ones, but they sure didnt seem very happy, i saw about 3 in a 1000 gallon tank, in florida, even then they seemed cramped, like i said, just swam around the edge all day.

[fishn00b]

There are a few sharks in a nearby aquarium near my house, and I'm not sure how big the tank is... it must be 20 feet high and 30 feet in diameter (its a big circle) and it has about 5 sharks in it. I feel so bad for them .

Is there anyway I can find out the names of a few more sharks that have been kept in aquariums? Like does a website sell them(maybe I could read up on them there)?

[Scuba Kid]

i have two questions for you...
why did you think of a saltwater shark species from a columbian shark? they aren't true sharks...
and if you feel bad for sharks living in a 30 foot, circular tank, why would you want to keep one in aquaria? this just doesnt make sense to me.

anyways, any shark species, besides a chain dogfish which you will definitely not find on acount of it is a deepwater shark and is a northern species not sold in the aquarium hobby, will need a huge tank. a nurse shark should not be kept in a home aquarium at all. neither should a wobbegong. This is because both sharks get huge. the only shark i would recommend would be a coral cat shark, or something along these lines. these sharks still get very big, but they are the smaller of the ones available for the home aquaria. I would not reccomend a tank with less than 8-9 feet of length and 2-3 feet of width. 3-4 feet of width would be much better.

[ron v]

I agree. And as level said, they are boring. Why would you want one??? Even if I had a 2000 gal. tank, I can think of lots of things I would rather have.

[leveldrummer]

scuba, in noobs defense, he said he was not planning on putting any kind of shark in his house what so ever. read his post before you chastize... hes simply trying to learn, i commend him, knowledge is wonderful stuff to have laying around,


NOOB here is a site that sells 3 or 4 species, and they have lots of info on the ones they carry, hope it helps to get you started LEARNING, not keeping these animals.
sharks

[Fishfirst]

the bamboo shark is a good one for aquaria. Unfortunately the smallest tank that it could even be kept in comfortably is 200+ gallons (width and length being more important than depth) If you are really interested in sharks in aquaria, check out Mike Petalea's(spelling) "Shark's and Rays" book. Nurse sharks need thousands of gallons as well as black tip reef sharks, port jackson's sharks ect.

[redpaulhus]

actually - I think it's Scott Micheal's book on Sharks and Rays:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/189...Fencoding=UTF8


I would definately trust that book more than any site that sells sharks - always realize than any salesperson feeds their family based on whether or not they make the sale - not on whether or not you can keep the animal alive 6 months later. Liveaquaria.com is not too bad as online merchants go usually - but they are selling coldwater horn sharks (Heterodontus francisci)and listing them as needing 72-78F (wetwebmedia.com has a big "avoid this shark' note about the same species : )
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/sharks.htm

I know that Anthony Calfo has built some large indoor ponds for people who own sharks, and I personally think that's probably the best of a number of poor options.

I agree with Scuba, most of the sharks don't belong in homes, and the few that do a) need huge tanks (200g +) and b) aren't very "sharky" - they tend to act more like big saltwater plecos than pelagic sharks. The nurses, leopards, wobbies (etc) need tanks the size of my living room, or maybe my living room, kitchen, and bedroom combined (There's a big shark tank at the Birch Aquarium at Scripps, at least as big as the ground floor of my house - and the sharks look soooo cramped )

[TheOldSalt]

Plus there is the extra added fun of urea vs ammonia being released as waste, although it's only a minor problem.

There IS one "sharky" shark which can be kept in a small tank of 300 gallons, but you'll never see one or be able to afford it if you do. It's the golden hammerhead, a pint-sized FRESHwater hammerhead from the Amazon, which is solid bright yellow!

As for the small saltwater sharks, Epaulette, Bamboo, & catsharks are pretty much your only options, and they're really kinda lame. They just sit there all day doing very little most of the time, and don't look very sharky.

[Fishfirst]

yep it was Scott W. Micheal, thanks for clearing that up.

[fishn00b]

Originally Posted by Scuba Kid

i have two questions for you...
why did you think of a saltwater shark species from a columbian shark? they aren't true sharks...
and if you feel bad for sharks living in a 30 foot, circular tank, why would you want to keep one in aquaria? this just doesnt make sense to me.

I know that Columbian Sharks are not real sharks. But when I was reading the post they said that they needed to be in saltwater and I just got to thinking. On marinedepotlive.com they have sharks for sale, and then I just decided to ask about them.

As for your second question I think leveldrummer cleared it up for me. I was just asking a question, I don't plan on keeping any at all. Not only would they be unhappy in any tank, I wouldn't want to risk having one nasty bite .

Thanks for the replies everyone. I really appreciate it. All the sites were really good for information too, thanks leveldrummer and redpaulhus. I'm going to check out the "Sharks and Rays" book that was mentioned and maybe see if I can find anything else on them.

Originally Posted by TheOldSalt

Plus there is the extra added fun of urea vs ammonia being released as waste, although it's only a minor problem.

I didn't even think of that, good point TOS. I wouldn't even know how to clear it up besides doing water changes ever hour. Thanks everyone.

[Scuba Kid]

Originally Posted by fishnOOb

As for your second question I think leveldrummer cleared it up for me. I was just asking a question, I don't plan on keeping any at all. Not only would they be unhappy in any tank, I wouldn't want to risk having one nasty bite .

sorry, i missed that. My apologies.

i considered a shark once, but they seemed to be too much trouble. If chain dogfish were a readily available aquarium species, that would be incredibly awesome, because 1) they only get to be around 18 inches and 2) i think they look awesome. There's this one place near where i am that has them. I wouldnt call them an aquarium, it's more like a room that showcases different native species that they caught. It's quite awesome, and they have TONS of chain dogfish. The only reason though is because they found a site where they can collect eggs and hatch them themselves...otherwise it's nearly impossible to get a healthy chain dog. lucky bastards...lol

[leveldrummer]

chain dogs huh? how bout some links or a pic or something?

[Scuba Kid]

sure...
here's some pics





a little bit of info...

http://biomescenter.com/images/ID/chain%20dogfish.jpg


that website, www.biomescenter.com has lots of good info on tons of fish. That is the place i was talking about near me that has a ton of cool stuff.

[leveldrummer]

wow, those are cool, thanks for sharing.

[rbishop1]

Scuba...thanks for the link...awesome fish!

[fishn00b]

You can't buy them from that place you mentioned, Scuba Kid? They seem pretty neat, I love their colors.

I just read that fact page that you had on the Chain Dogfish, and it said that they live in complete darkness. How could they keep them in an aquarium?

[cheseboy]

Well when you think about it how do fish like that in nature get complete darkness all the time? They can't. That doesnt sound right that they get complete darkness all the time but If it likes darkness it will probably hide amongst the live rock in an aquarium. Plus in aquariums conditions are never as good as the ocean. I'm sure any fish would prefer to be in an ocean rather than a 200 gallon tank. Better conditions, better food.