hi i have a few mates 3 to be exact who have kept these sharks reasonably well, 2 have large sw ponds and the other has an 8x4x3 he claims they only reach 3 feet and that if there large his is already 4 years old and isnt even 2 foot yet is around the 19" mark its very well fed and docile he says that it could stay in that tank at 3 foot is this true? is it likely to get 3 feet? would you recomend copying his setup?
atlantic sharpnose
- Thread starter billbobthegreat
- Start date
ok thanks very much for the reply hes does look much worse than the others could this be due to inadequete feeding or water conditions the other guys are much larger
I also had some limited experience with wild Atlantic Sharpnose, during trips to the beach. I've also talked with several private & public aquarists & shark dealers that have attempted to keep this species.
I've done some detailed online research about the species. It has been studied quite about by major universities along the southeastern U.S.
First off - Some basic facts about the Atlantic Sharpnose Shark (Rhizoprionodon terraenovae).
Maximum Size: Often stated at between 43.3-48"/110-122cm. The largest confirmed Atlantic Sharpnose is 49"/124cm(Confirmed by catch - Texas, 2008). Slightly larger may be possible.
Average Size: about 39-42"/99-107 cm
Size & Age at Maturity: about 31-35"/79-89cm @ 2-3 years old.
Maximum Life Span: about 9-12 years.
Size at Birth: 10-12"/ 25-30 cm
Growth Rate: Average about 10-12" for first year in the wild, about 6-10" in the secong year. Growth rates in captivity may be even higher.
Note: A 19" sharpnose would be less than 1 year old. And a 8'L x4'W x 3'H tank wouldn't be suitable for any sharpnose larger than a neonate (12" long).
Personality: This is a small coastal species of carcharhinid shark that is a very active, fast moving, and high strung species. While the species may seem docile towards humans, they are in fact very aggressive feeders of small fish & invertebrates. And will attack fish that are as nearly large as themselves.
In captivity - The only true successes with the Atlantic Sharpnose have been done with them kept in small schools of 3 or more in large pond or lagoon. Keeping in small schools seems to have a calming effect, on this high strung species. It's suggested that the Atlantic Sharpnose's closest comparison in terms of captivity care would be the Bonnethead. Since both species literally share the same habitat and enviroment.
The minimum size pond/lagoon should have a footprint of no less than 500 sq.ft, with a depth of at least 4 ft for mature adult Atlantic Sharpnose. But larger is definitely preferred - especially, if you have more than 3-4 sharks.
I've done some detailed online research about the species. It has been studied quite about by major universities along the southeastern U.S.
First off - Some basic facts about the Atlantic Sharpnose Shark (Rhizoprionodon terraenovae).
Maximum Size: Often stated at between 43.3-48"/110-122cm. The largest confirmed Atlantic Sharpnose is 49"/124cm(Confirmed by catch - Texas, 2008). Slightly larger may be possible.
Average Size: about 39-42"/99-107 cm
Size & Age at Maturity: about 31-35"/79-89cm @ 2-3 years old.
Maximum Life Span: about 9-12 years.
Size at Birth: 10-12"/ 25-30 cm
Growth Rate: Average about 10-12" for first year in the wild, about 6-10" in the secong year. Growth rates in captivity may be even higher.
Note: A 19" sharpnose would be less than 1 year old. And a 8'L x4'W x 3'H tank wouldn't be suitable for any sharpnose larger than a neonate (12" long).
Personality: This is a small coastal species of carcharhinid shark that is a very active, fast moving, and high strung species. While the species may seem docile towards humans, they are in fact very aggressive feeders of small fish & invertebrates. And will attack fish that are as nearly large as themselves.
In captivity - The only true successes with the Atlantic Sharpnose have been done with them kept in small schools of 3 or more in large pond or lagoon. Keeping in small schools seems to have a calming effect, on this high strung species. It's suggested that the Atlantic Sharpnose's closest comparison in terms of captivity care would be the Bonnethead. Since both species literally share the same habitat and enviroment.
The minimum size pond/lagoon should have a footprint of no less than 500 sq.ft, with a depth of at least 4 ft for mature adult Atlantic Sharpnose. But larger is definitely preferred - especially, if you have more than 3-4 sharks.
It's hard to tell - due to lack to specific information.
But it's likely a combination of factors. Such as inadequete feeding (should be at least 3-4 times per wk), correct nutrition(food, vitamins & minerals), water quality & definitely tank size.
A Sharpnose - should always have a tank/pond/lagoon with a diameter that is at least 6 times the shark's length(if round). Or if oval - pond/lagoon length should be 8-9 times shark's length, and width at least 3.5-4 times shark's length. And that would be bare minimum.
yeh i dont think his is properly cared for, hte others all seam fine tho so would say a 5000 gallon pond hold one for long if it was say 3foot deep??
Hmmm ... A pond of about 5,000 gallons - basically 16 ft diameter and 3 ft deep might be okay - for a couple juvenile Atlantic Sharpnose Sharks - until they beginning maturity - i.e. 31". But not much larger than that.
Only a few aquarists have ever kept Atlantic Sharpnose Sharks for more than 2-3 years, in captivity. None in anything less than 15,000 gallons (490-500 sq.ft. with an average water depth of 4 ft or more).
Only a few aquarists have ever kept Atlantic Sharpnose Sharks for more than 2-3 years, in captivity. None in anything less than 15,000 gallons (490-500 sq.ft. with an average water depth of 4 ft or more).
all my friends have really tols me is that they grow really fast and max out in about 3 years my friend who owns the biggest pond has 4 of them and there all around 38-40" i think the pond is about 20,000 gallon although he did make a mistake of housing a wobbegong that ate 2 of the 6 sharks when they were young he now knows they are noturios for eating anything that fits in there mouth.
Yeah - wobbies & nurses are poor choices to kerp with sharpies.
Yes - they grow fast, but 40" is about average for an Adult Atlantic Sharpnose. They can eventually get about 20% larger(around 48") with in the wild.
Yes - they grow fast, but 40" is about average for an Adult Atlantic Sharpnose. They can eventually get about 20% larger(around 48") with in the wild.