ehh my friend got a black tip shark

[krj-1168]

It's sad to see or hear about people buying sharks on impulse. Or really any exotic animal.

Most people wouldn't go out an buy a Lion, Tiger, Wolf, Bear or Alligator on impulse - without first researching the needs of the animal, or talk to people that have kept them. So why is okay to do the same for sharks. Just because you can buy them in a LFS?

The problem is basically two fold.
One is usaully LFS's don't educate their employees to the special requirements of keeping sharks. So the employees often spill useless information about sharks.And basically do anything for the sale.

And Second is people ASSUME that just because you can buy a shark in a LFS - it must be fairly easy to keep - i.e. the impulse buying. Afterall "they wouldn't sale anything that can be kept in captivity". And usually don't bother to educate themselves about what a shark needs - but instead think about what they want. Which is really the wrong way to look at it.

Truth is most LFS often sale fish that will outgrow most home aquariums (say up to 180 gallons). If most people looked at the maximum adult size of some of the species - they would find that many of the more popular fish will out grow most home aquariums.

 

[Zoodiver]

The other downside to a shark that small is that 99% of the time they are caught illegally. So, chances are this guy just supported the black market trade of sharks.

 

[fourty2]

i wanna know what size tank he is keeping it in...filtration etc ?

 

[davo]

Damn obviously a few things wrong with this.
Hammerhead? Are you sure you heard correctly. Wow. People amaze me, but I am never suprised anymore.

 

[krj-1168]

The other downside to a shark that small is that 99% of the time they are caught illegally. So, chances are this guy just supported the black market trade of sharks.

Another Excellent Point- Matt.

Which is the main reason - why people should only buy sharks from reputable dealers, with all of the correct permits.

i wanna know what size tank he is keeping it in...filtration etc ?

You may - if you want to know.

But personally the word "Tank" speaks volumes to me. So it really doesn't matter if they put the Blacktip is a 240 gallon or 1,000 gallon tank. The fact is no normal (retangular shaped) home aquarium is really suited for keeping any requiem shark - even as a small pup.

Those few private keepers that have successful kept small Requiem sharks, have done so in very large custom built tanks(without sharp corners) or large swimming pool size shark lagoons.

 

[VLDesign]

Im am sure he's just a troll looking for attention.

 

[BIGgourami]

ehh i wouldn't doubt it haven't heard a word from him scine the thread started.

 

[cichlid savage]

If this thread is true. Then it's just another example of capitalism over common sense.

It was awfully convenient how the batteries in his camera died taking pics of arowanas. If someone i knew had the pre-requsite skill, resources, etc to buy a shark my camera wouldnt come on til that baby was in the water. and I would have probably had my video camera.

 

[Jessica Dring]

He's probably not lying. He probably does have a friend who impulsed. Theres alot of I/B's about. Don't really think he'd lie about it anyway, it's not his fault his friend decided to buy this animal. It's the very reason we have exotic animal rescue programmes on tv of people rescueing american alli's and such like. Unfortantely, (or fortunately whichever way you look at it) aligators are alot hardier than most fish, especially sharks. His camera most probably did die, happened to me on the moment plenty of times. Anyway, I hope all goes well with your friends shark, at least he keeps other fish, I guess thats better than some randomer who barely knows how to keep a goldfish alive buying a shark. Let us know how it goes

 

[Jessica Dring]

ehh i wouldn't doubt it haven't heard a word from him scine the thread started.

Maybe because he's getting a bit of stick Just a thought? I dunno I'm not him lol.