Here is that thread. He did nice work too.
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=45035&highlight=black+tip+shark
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=45035&highlight=black+tip+shark
how much would this cost me?
- Thread starter Bsixxx
- Start date
Bsixxx;1079412; said:
I have never seen them for sale alive. They are considered a trash fish, but are highly valued as bait for trolling. A pack of three small dead ones costs $17. I'd love a tank full of them.
My friend has just put up a 750 gallon and he said he put around 6 to 7 grand into it with all brand new stuff. He has a bunch of lions in there. Snow Flake eels, morrays and all that good stuff. He also has some clown triggers. He didn't tell me how aggressive they were and he told me to feed his tank and they bit at me and made my fingers bleed. I was like HOLY CRAP!
Well first off, Leopard Sharks under 36" are illegal and you can get in some pretty big trouble for having one under 36". Leopards need cold water, so you will need a chiller to keep the temperatures under 60 peferable. They need atleast 6,000 gallons to thrive. So they are a very bad choice for 99.9% of private aquarists. The Atlantic Sharpnose Shark is also a very poor choice as they need expert care. They need very large round pools with little to no decor. When I say large I mean 15,000 + gallons. I would stay away from all Sharks right now except Coral Cats, Marbeled Cats, and possible a few smaller Bamboo species if you get a tank over 300 gallons.
Well - a good 3-4' free swimming shark, would be a Smoothhound like the Gray Smoothhound from California. They need a tank/pond that is at least 2500-3500 gallons (12-15' diameter x 3' deep) . As for cost to set up the tank/pond - figure at least $10,000-$15,000.
While the Atlantic Sharpnose is a wonderful shark (personal favorite of mine) - and they do max out at 4'. I have to disagree - with much of CHOMPERS info on them.
First they don't average 1.5 ft - that's the size of juveniles that are about a year old. They average about 39-42" (roughly the size of the one in the photo).
Also no way can you spend 3 grand and be able to keep one. For 3 grand on a set-up(if you cut corners) - you might be able to set up a 1,000 gallon pond -which would allow you to keep a neonate or 2(10-12") for up to 6 months. Personally I've never heard of anyone successfully(more than 2 years) keeping an adult Atlantic Sharpnose in anything less than a 18,000 gallon(at least 600 sq.ft of floor space) shark lagoon. Which means your looking at a cost of 60-90K(minmum) for just the set-up - tank, filtration, sand & salt water - to keep one(or a small group) for it's entire life(roughly 10 yrs).
On top of all that - Atlantic Sharpnose - really require a very experience and highly knowledgable aquarists to be successful with this species.
Personal - despite the fact that the Leopard can reach 6' long, and must be no less than 36" before being collected or sold. The Leopard is a much better shark for a Private Aquaria than the Atlantic Sharpnose. Because the tend to be a hardier species (although they require cooler water temps), and adapt easier to captivity.
Still - the Gray Smoothhound is the best option - since it combines the size of the Atlantic Sharpnose 3.5-4' with the hardiness, basic shape and adaptability of the Leopard.
wned:
