any info about a website
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I have heard both good and bad reviews regarding Sharks Unlimited / Shark Supply however I have spoken with Ken Moran personally and he seems like a great guy. What type of specimens are you hoping to acquire and where are you located?
Well - I can tell that Sharks Unlimited is located in SC. Which would mean a transcontinental shipping - not the best for this type of Shark.
Actually 2,000 gallons isn't nearly large enough tank for a Bonnethead. If you looking for a swimming shark for that size of pond - personally you would be much better off with one of the local Smoothhound species.
I've also talked with Ken Moran. He's said several times that basically wants to make sure the sharks he sells are going to very good home with aquarists that know how to care of these sharks. So I would have guess that chances are he likely wouldn't sell you a Bonnethead unless you had a Pond of at least 2-3 times of what you are currently planning (i.e. 4.000-6,000 gallons minimum)
Actually 2,000 gallons isn't nearly large enough tank for a Bonnethead. If you looking for a swimming shark for that size of pond - personally you would be much better off with one of the local Smoothhound species.
I've also talked with Ken Moran. He's said several times that basically wants to make sure the sharks he sells are going to very good home with aquarists that know how to care of these sharks. So I would have guess that chances are he likely wouldn't sell you a Bonnethead unless you had a Pond of at least 2-3 times of what you are currently planning (i.e. 4.000-6,000 gallons minimum)
They have yet to offer legal proof of some things they do - like reintroduction of sharks to the wild if they don't sell. They made some other outrageous claims - like they've never caught a shark with parasites, only healthy sharks - which to anyone who knows shark collection is 100% impossible. Another stand out claim is the first to collect and display a hammerhead - but when I asked, they refused to tell me the date/location. They claimed to supply for several major zoos/aquariums - but when I asked about that, he couldn't name any. I was told they have some top secret methods - but refuse to share them.... so really you don't know how they are catching (net, long line or drugging them). Their "husbandry tips" are a joke. They need to update their info.
It says right on their website:
Inexperienced aquarists or hobbyists that do not have time and resources to invest should stick to species such as nurse sharks
Nurse sharks? Really? If you don't have money, the answer is getting one of the largest sharks out there in the trade?
I've never been treated with any kind of professionalism from this company. I am not at all impressed with them. So many better places to buy small sharks from that treat you with respect and will help you out even after you buy an animal.
But that is just me.
It says right on their website:
Inexperienced aquarists or hobbyists that do not have time and resources to invest should stick to species such as nurse sharks
Nurse sharks? Really? If you don't have money, the answer is getting one of the largest sharks out there in the trade?
I've never been treated with any kind of professionalism from this company. I am not at all impressed with them. So many better places to buy small sharks from that treat you with respect and will help you out even after you buy an animal.
But that is just me.
Zoodiver;1899664; said:
Took the words right out of my Mouth Matt. I too have contacted this business (mainly from the debate about them that took place a while ago) and I was interested in seeing exactly what they were about. I decided to play them like I would any other collector, so I ran the 101 questions on them. Here are a few of the questions I asked and their answers, as this call was monitored and transcribed for our records.E = Me
C = Them (for collector)
Transcrip: Collector; South Carolina; ..(Name removed)
Emileigh C.
RE: Inquiry
Date: Feb. 04, 2008
Start: 13:22
End: 13:46
.... (beginning left out, basic introductions)...
E: So can you tell me your preferred methods of collection for your sharks?
C: Well, we collect local species, and can also import animals in for those interested if we do not have them in stock. What are you looking for?
....(Named off the sharks they claim to keep and spouted off some retarded "facts" while he went, that almost made me drop the phone from trying not to laugh)....
E: Uh huh. Well if I have a 500 gallon tank and really want a shark, which would you suggest?
C: Well you wouldn't be able to keep much, I'd say no bigger than say a short nurse..... (continued his ridiculous estimate for about 5 minutes until I stopped him and approached the "legal" questions)....
E: So when I purchase this shark, can you provide me with documentation stating that it was legally collected, and that you have the license and permits to collect, hold, sell, and transport these animals?
C: Well uhh, I mean you might need to get some permits from your state to keep the animal, but those aren't too hard to get. You can probably find the information you want online.
......... (refused to answer my question, and tried to play it off and distract me by telling me I should look into permits I need, and went on and on about different laws and basically discussed everything but what I asked).....
That is just ONE SMALL section of the entire conversation and let me tell you, this was probably the mildest section to boot. This company offers no proof of their claims, provides inaccurate information not only on their website but also over the phone. They have no documentation they are willing to share with the interested buyer, and rarely answer your question with a straight answer. They claim to have supplied sharks to several main Aquariums, and when I asked them if they knew of the Monterey Bay Aquarium, they eagerly stated that they were contracted as one of the main suppliers to the aquarium. This is FALSE!!!!!!
They didn't know who I was at first, but they didn't miss a beat when it came to lying to me in order to make them look better.
In the end I handed their a**es to them and was hung up on. DO NOT buy anything from this company as I am more convinced now than ever that their actions are illegal, harmful to the animals, irresponsible both legally and ecologically, not to mention morally, and that they are willing to say anything to sound credible.
Shark trafficking is a huge industry, and one that is not only illegal but is also extremely hard on these animals and is responsible for Hundreds of Thousands of sharks removed from the Oceans each year!! Please do not contribute to this or any other company that makes the claims but lacks the openness and honestly, along with validation to prove their merit.
Any reputable and honest dealer will be more than willing to furnish current and valid permits across the board, as well as sit with you and discuss how their business operates. If they are unwilling to do this, do not answer your questions, and cannot back their claims, chances are that their operation is illegal and detrimental, so please stay clear from these individuals and companies!!!!
I personally - would say Brenden assessment Of Sharks Unlimited/ Shark Supply was very fair. And like Brenden - I can only state about what I was told when I talked to him. Just as both Emi and Matt can only tell about what he told them.
Granted - as has been stated before on this Board - Nurse sharks aren't suited for the majority of private aquarists. And on Shark Supply's husbandary page - were they give very basic tips(which any sharks aquarist should already know) he states - "Inexperienced aquarists or hobbyists that do not have time and resources to invest should stick to species such as nurse sharks, horn sharks, leopard sharks and rays which are durable and do not require the added care and maintenance of other elasmobranchs." While it's true that - Nurse sharks, Horn sharks, and leopard sharks rightful considered to much hardier & durable than the requiems that this company sells. But only the Horn sharks could be considered to be suitable for most private shark aquarists. Both the Nurse & Leopards get too large and too active for average private shark aquarist to keep for their entire life. Like wise nearly every species that Sharks Unlimited/Shark Supply sells is completely unsuitable for the vast majority of private shark aquarists. As it should be noted that they(Sharks Unlimited/Shark Supply) specializes in the Atlantic Requiem Sharks (such as Atlantic Sharpnose, Bonnethead, Blacknose, & Finetooth sharks).
Granted - as has been stated before on this Board - Nurse sharks aren't suited for the majority of private aquarists. And on Shark Supply's husbandary page - were they give very basic tips(which any sharks aquarist should already know) he states - "Inexperienced aquarists or hobbyists that do not have time and resources to invest should stick to species such as nurse sharks, horn sharks, leopard sharks and rays which are durable and do not require the added care and maintenance of other elasmobranchs." While it's true that - Nurse sharks, Horn sharks, and leopard sharks rightful considered to much hardier & durable than the requiems that this company sells. But only the Horn sharks could be considered to be suitable for most private shark aquarists. Both the Nurse & Leopards get too large and too active for average private shark aquarist to keep for their entire life. Like wise nearly every species that Sharks Unlimited/Shark Supply sells is completely unsuitable for the vast majority of private shark aquarists. As it should be noted that they(Sharks Unlimited/Shark Supply) specializes in the Atlantic Requiem Sharks (such as Atlantic Sharpnose, Bonnethead, Blacknose, & Finetooth sharks).
I hate to say I am having a big problem with Ken .
I hate to say bad things about people but I think this has to be said for the $750 he has of mine since April 24 08......
I started this thread when I started getting worried about my order with him
I talk to him about sharks for my pond weeks before the 24th he recommended for my 1000 gal pond 11x5x2deep and yes he new the dimensions.
1 bonnethead
3 sharpnoses
1 mini bull
told me he would give me a deal If I put 1/2 down for all. so I can be on the list for them when available.
I told him I just wanted to start with the bonnethead.
his answer was " I will not be able to give you a deal till you pay for the last shark,," I was ok with that and he wanted $1500 with box and shipping for the Bonnethead,,,,, I still waited
then on April 24 I got a email from him telling me they are coming in any day and that I should put the deposit for the bonnethead. he did want all of the $$ but I was able to talk him in to only 1/2....
yup I did pay pal him $750 1/2 for the bonnethead and box and shipping
that's when the nightmare started .
nothing ,,,,,nothing ,,, till i called him and he told me the bonnethead was In quarantine......nothing.. nothing till I emailed him again and he tells me nothing about when he was going to ship my order.... he would just reply a one line email that would not say any thing,
not one email from him with a update I always had to email him first, after a couple of months of not getting any answer ( I did get emails back just no answers)about my order ... I talk to him on the phone finaly just to be told nothing about my order shipping, only maybe this, or maybe that...
in frustration and not trusting what is going on , I email him asking him to just send me something for my $750 and that I was not going to send any more $$$$ ......he offered to send me three sharpnoses for the $750 but I would still have to send him $300 more for box and shipping and gas for him driving to a airport that suppose to be 8 hour away... I tried to tell him to just send me two or even one for the $$ that he has of mine, and no way will that happen either.. I send him more $$ and I can get them now or I need to wait till he gets more order(s) to be able to get to the airport and send my order. in one email he tells me he has the sharpnose and then in the next email he tells me he can get them just send the $300 for shipping....it was all about me sending the 300,
I did ask for my $$ back but that wont happen either....
what finally got me was,, when I ask for my $$ back he shocked me be telling me that I am trying to get out of the order and that bonnetheads don’t come in till july31.
when I read that I just don’t know what to think he had a pup in April he was ready to send me .....
at this point I have written the $$ off becouse i will not send any more $$
I will update this thread on july 30 to see if ,,,, I receive something for my $750 .
I am sorry I have to write something like this about someone.
I hate to say bad things about people but I think this has to be said for the $750 he has of mine since April 24 08......
I started this thread when I started getting worried about my order with him
I talk to him about sharks for my pond weeks before the 24th he recommended for my 1000 gal pond 11x5x2deep and yes he new the dimensions.
1 bonnethead
3 sharpnoses
1 mini bull
told me he would give me a deal If I put 1/2 down for all. so I can be on the list for them when available.
I told him I just wanted to start with the bonnethead.
his answer was " I will not be able to give you a deal till you pay for the last shark,," I was ok with that and he wanted $1500 with box and shipping for the Bonnethead,,,,, I still waited
then on April 24 I got a email from him telling me they are coming in any day and that I should put the deposit for the bonnethead. he did want all of the $$ but I was able to talk him in to only 1/2....
yup I did pay pal him $750 1/2 for the bonnethead and box and shipping
that's when the nightmare started .
nothing ,,,,,nothing ,,, till i called him and he told me the bonnethead was In quarantine......nothing.. nothing till I emailed him again and he tells me nothing about when he was going to ship my order.... he would just reply a one line email that would not say any thing,
not one email from him with a update I always had to email him first, after a couple of months of not getting any answer ( I did get emails back just no answers)about my order ... I talk to him on the phone finaly just to be told nothing about my order shipping, only maybe this, or maybe that...
in frustration and not trusting what is going on , I email him asking him to just send me something for my $750 and that I was not going to send any more $$$$ ......he offered to send me three sharpnoses for the $750 but I would still have to send him $300 more for box and shipping and gas for him driving to a airport that suppose to be 8 hour away... I tried to tell him to just send me two or even one for the $$ that he has of mine, and no way will that happen either.. I send him more $$ and I can get them now or I need to wait till he gets more order(s) to be able to get to the airport and send my order. in one email he tells me he has the sharpnose and then in the next email he tells me he can get them just send the $300 for shipping....it was all about me sending the 300,
I did ask for my $$ back but that wont happen either....
what finally got me was,, when I ask for my $$ back he shocked me be telling me that I am trying to get out of the order and that bonnetheads don’t come in till july31.
when I read that I just don’t know what to think he had a pup in April he was ready to send me .....
at this point I have written the $$ off becouse i will not send any more $$
I will update this thread on july 30 to see if ,,,, I receive something for my $750 .
I am sorry I have to write something like this about someone.
Oh my god I am so sorry and enraged to hear this!!!! I was hoping above all hope that when you wrote this thread it was merely a consideration of yours, and NOT that you had ALREADY invested with these criminal crooks!!!!
We tried to warn you but I guess it was too late!!!
You need to contact the authorities immediately!!
Everything that he said to you sounded like LIES LIES LIES and the suggestions he made about your pond - stock wise - is absolutely ridiculous!!!!
DO NOT write your money off as gone and DO NOT wait until the end of July to take action!!! People like this work very hard to conceal their crimes and if they know that they are in danger of being exposed, they can tear down shop and move before the authorities can ever get to them. It happens all over the place, with all sorts of people - some you would never even expect, like the Pastor here in California who was running a HUGE Leopard shark trafficking black market ring. A PASTOR!!!
Please please do not sit and wait for your shark to arrive, not only because it probably never will, but also because you are being scammed, and not to mention - from a purely professional side, a customer should never have to wait that long, be strung along with confusing and uninformative answers, pressured for more money, and then forced to settle for whatever the supplier felt like giving them. You put in a specific order and dropped a large amount of cash for that order and put your faith in their hands. And for that you should have gotten exactly what you ordered and delievered when it was supposed to be ordered.
EVEN THOUGH I would have strongly advised AGAINST a Bonnet for your pond as they require tons of swimming space, not to mention your pond is too small (demensions), that still does NOT excuse what they are doing right now!!!
PLEASE PLEASE TAKE ACTION AND STOP THESE CRIMINALS!!!
If you want, I can be right there calling them out with you. I, as well as Zoodiver (Matt) have connections to the governing entities which can bring an end to this. You also can call them out by contacting your local law enforcement, and the local government of the region he is based out of. This crap infuriates me!!
We tried to warn you but I guess it was too late!!!
You need to contact the authorities immediately!!
Everything that he said to you sounded like LIES LIES LIES and the suggestions he made about your pond - stock wise - is absolutely ridiculous!!!!
DO NOT write your money off as gone and DO NOT wait until the end of July to take action!!! People like this work very hard to conceal their crimes and if they know that they are in danger of being exposed, they can tear down shop and move before the authorities can ever get to them. It happens all over the place, with all sorts of people - some you would never even expect, like the Pastor here in California who was running a HUGE Leopard shark trafficking black market ring. A PASTOR!!!
Please please do not sit and wait for your shark to arrive, not only because it probably never will, but also because you are being scammed, and not to mention - from a purely professional side, a customer should never have to wait that long, be strung along with confusing and uninformative answers, pressured for more money, and then forced to settle for whatever the supplier felt like giving them. You put in a specific order and dropped a large amount of cash for that order and put your faith in their hands. And for that you should have gotten exactly what you ordered and delievered when it was supposed to be ordered.
EVEN THOUGH I would have strongly advised AGAINST a Bonnet for your pond as they require tons of swimming space, not to mention your pond is too small (demensions), that still does NOT excuse what they are doing right now!!!
PLEASE PLEASE TAKE ACTION AND STOP THESE CRIMINALS!!!
If you want, I can be right there calling them out with you. I, as well as Zoodiver (Matt) have connections to the governing entities which can bring an end to this. You also can call them out by contacting your local law enforcement, and the local government of the region he is based out of. This crap infuriates me!!
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