A newbie says hello -- and asks a few questions!

[jesspark]

Hi there!

As the subject says, I'm a newbie, both to Shark & Ray Central and to keeping sharks (or, in this case, thinking of keeping sharks). I've worked in the marine animal field for the past four years, however (among other things, I used to help care for and train dolphins, manatees, seals, and sea lions; I also taught a shark interaction program at a well-known marine park), and I know how challenging it can be to properly care for marinelife. That's why I'm taking it slow when it comes to getting a shark; I hope to have my shark pond built and populated by 2012.

I currently live in a condo in Central Florida, so I can't even consider buying a shark until my spouse and I move to larger quarters. I have my heart set on a zebra shark--I know, I know, they get pretty big, which is why I need to wait until we buy a house with a backyard before I even start looking around for a juvenile zebra. In the meantime, I'd like to put down "on paper" my plans for a shark pond... or, to be a little more accurate, a shark pool. I cringe when I think of how much this is going to cost, but the ol' ball-and-chain and I have discussed it and decided to have a shark pond instead of children.

Here are some crude plans that will hopefully give you an idea of what I'm thinking of in terms of pool size:

How does that look for a zebra shark pool? It's a pretty immense undertaking, but I want to do it right. The bigger, the better!

If you could share your experiences with larger shark ponds -- especially with filtration -- that would be greatly appreciated! I look forward to learning more and participating in a community that shares my fascination with and love of these animals. =) Thanks in advance!

--Jess

 

[jesspark]

...and by "Shark & Ray Central," I mean "Monster Fish Keepers." As you can tell, I'm trying to get as much information as possible from as many sources as I can. =)

--Jess

 

[Zoodiver]

It's all good. A lot fo the shark keepers here are members of both.

As for you pool size, it looks like an awesome start. The only pointer I'd toss out is that you could round the corners and the line where the edge meets the bottom all the way around. It's easy enough to do at the point of contruction.

A zebra (a real one) might be hard to get - and will still outgrow that size. It took me a year to locate one, and I still won't have it here on site for another 6-7 months. That would be an awesome set up for a small to mid sized animal, though. A white tip reef or two would look good.

 

[jesspark]

Oops, I should've made the corners rounded in the diagram, or at least mentioned that they should be rounded; my USB port was otherwise occupied, so I had to use my laptop's touchpad instead of my tablet, and I got lazy with the lines. =) If I was a shark, I wouldn't want to be a pool with sharp edges!

From what I've been reading just in the past few hours, I'm very glad that I decided to make this a five-year plan; I know now that my initial pool plan would be too small for an adult zebra (and I'd never buy an animal without having a habitat large enough for it to thrive in as an adult), and, although I figured it'd be difficult to find a zebra shark, I've given myself plenty of time to look around. The waiting's tough, though... but I don't have to tell you that! Over a year and a half, huh? You'll have to post tons of pics when you finally get your zebra home.

As for a real zebra... jeez, until I started looking at online aquatics dealers, I had no idea how many people don't know what a zebra shark is! (Or do, and choose to take advantage of those who don't...) I've seen several Indonesian bamboos being sold as zebra sharks -- identified as Stegostoma and everything. I bet there are some disappointed shark buyers out there!

Anyway, thanks for the pointers and the feedback! I think I'm gonna like it here.

--Jess

 

[Brenden]

From what I have seen with dealing with multiple wholesalers, dealers, collectors, ect. It is easier to find and acquire small Zebra pups than it is to acquire large juvenile specimens.

Matt what size Zebra did you end up getting ahold of? In the past 2 months I have came across 4 true Zebra pups for sale all under 15".

 

[krj-1168]

While there is another cool idea that is actually very possible with the pool size as you've already planned. Unless you have your heart absolutely set on Zebras.

And that would make a nice multi species shark/ray habitat - a pool that size would be perfect. Which would be good for potential captive breeding.

For example a California habitat - with Cali Horn sharks, Gray Smoothhounds, and possible a couple of round rays (either cali, cortez or bullseyes).

or maybe a tropical indo-pacific tidal pool/reef - with Bamboos, eppies, coral cats, with Blue-spotted Stingrays (Dasyatis kuhli).

Just another thought?

 

[Zoodiver]

From what I have seen with dealing with multiple wholesalers, dealers, collectors, ect. It is easier to find and acquire small Zebra pups than it is to acquire large juvenile specimens.

Matt what size Zebra did you end up getting ahold of? In the past 2 months I have came across 4 true Zebra pups for sale all under 15".

WHERE DID YOU FIND THEM!?!?!?! Hook me up, I need more!
I swung a deal with another aquarium who is captive breeding them. I get one, but it's down the road, and I owe them HUGE for it.


I've found a lot of places misidentifying Indos as Zebra. I have a pile of Indos here that I was PROMISED were real zebra pups. A true Zebra pup will be several hundred if not a thousand dollars (US).

 

[Brenden]

Matt, I sent you a PM.

 

[jesspark]

Ooo, krj-1168, that sounds so tempting; it'd be amazing to have several smaller sharks living together in a specific habitat, like the California theme that you mentioned, and I'd want to captive-breed horn sharks just because their egg cases look so cool. I gotta say, though... as much as I love other sharks, I only have eyes for the zebra. Now, if I suddenly win the lotto--and if I actually have some money left over after building a properly-sized zebra pool...

And I shouldn't even be asking because it's not going to do me any good for another several years, but, Brenden, where do you go about finding genuine zebra pups? Granted, I haven't been looking long, but all I've seen are Indo bamboos being sold as zebras.

--Jess

 

[Brenden]

Jess - Its hard becasue as Matt has stated alot of on-line vendors, whole salers, and collectors claim to have Zebra Sharks in while in reality its truley a Indonesian or "Hasselt" Bamboo. I am just lucky enough to have met a few quality collectors through my elasmobranch journeys that happen to have contacts who can readily collect true Zebra Sharks. As I have told you previously, when ever you are ready just let me know and I will do what I can to find you what you need.