Krj-1168 thought you would like to know that I do plan on setting up a large breeding pool just for short tail nurse sharks.
Elasmo Exotics
- Thread starter BlackTip17
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Awesome - Short-tails should be in breeding groups - so that this species can be available in the future. IMPO they eventually could be the perfect replacement for the Atlantic/Common Nurse, for private aquarists.
In other words - Keeping a Silky is virtually impossible for a private aquarist. And would be fairly difficult for a Major Public Aquarium. The fact is Oceanic White tips & Blue Sharks have only a slightly better sucess in public aquariums than Great Whites have had so far.
Just talked to a guy today that is putting a nurse in a 760 gallon tank ??? BTW did any of you know of Robert@cidiving.com in Hawaii? I have bought a few fish from him in the past, today I learned of his death coming up from a dive to fast, a shocker to me.
krj-1168;4603192; said:
Sorry Ken but I beg to differ. The NJ aquarium has a beautiful silky about 6 feet long and to be honest that shark looks way better than the hammer,tigers or even the black tip sharks. The silky navigates the the tank great. JayFB helps out there and I sure he would confirm this.
I really don't think that it would be impossible. Challenging yes but not impossible. Most would probably say that black tips and bull sharks would be impossible for a private aquarist to keep but it can be done.
Also I think matt was just making a joke but I could be wrong.
Interesting abstract on the growth of Bulls
Branstetter, Steven, Texas A & M University, College Station, Texas, and Stiles, Robert, Samford University, Birmingham, Alabama
Age and growth estimates of the Bull Shark, Carcharhinus leucas, in the Northern Gulf of Mexico
Length-at-age and growth rates for 96 bull sharks, Carcharhinus leucas, collected from the northern Gulf of Mexico were estimated from the band patterns formed seasonally in the vertebral centra. The data were applied to a von Bertalanffy growth model producing parameter estimates of L° = 285 cm TL, K = .076, and to = -2.97 yr, and were compared to available literature records. Growth is apparently slow and individually varied. Growth rates for males and females are similar except that males do not attain as great a length or longevity as females. Growth rates are estimated to be 15-20 cm/yr for the first five years, 10 cm/yr for years VI-X, 5-7 cm/yr for years XI-XVI, and less than 4-5 cm/yr thereafter. Males mature at 210-220 cm TL or 13-16 yr of age; females mature at > 225 cm TL or 18+ yr of age. The largest male (245 cm TL) vas 21.3 yr old; the largest female (268 cm TL) was 24.2 yr old.
Branstetter, Steven, Texas A & M University, College Station, Texas, and Stiles, Robert, Samford University, Birmingham, Alabama
Age and growth estimates of the Bull Shark, Carcharhinus leucas, in the Northern Gulf of Mexico
Length-at-age and growth rates for 96 bull sharks, Carcharhinus leucas, collected from the northern Gulf of Mexico were estimated from the band patterns formed seasonally in the vertebral centra. The data were applied to a von Bertalanffy growth model producing parameter estimates of L° = 285 cm TL, K = .076, and to = -2.97 yr, and were compared to available literature records. Growth is apparently slow and individually varied. Growth rates for males and females are similar except that males do not attain as great a length or longevity as females. Growth rates are estimated to be 15-20 cm/yr for the first five years, 10 cm/yr for years VI-X, 5-7 cm/yr for years XI-XVI, and less than 4-5 cm/yr thereafter. Males mature at 210-220 cm TL or 13-16 yr of age; females mature at > 225 cm TL or 18+ yr of age. The largest male (245 cm TL) vas 21.3 yr old; the largest female (268 cm TL) was 24.2 yr old.
Actually I believe the NJ aquarium is one of the only Public Aquariums in North America to be able to keep a Silky Shark. But then the NJ Aquarium has a Shark tank that's over 500,000 gallons.
Also I said it was virtually impossible - but not completely impossible - there is a difference. However if a private aquarist where to have the space and funds to be able to afford and maintain a 500,000 gallon shark tank - then they might be able to keep a Silky. But then any shark that requires a 300,000 gallon tank or larger - would likely be considered "Virtually Impossible" for 99.99% of all private shark aquarists.
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