Need Shark Help

[krj-1168]

Well there are several species of sharks available either thru LFSs or Online Dealers that don't grow over 4' in length.

But most are not recommended for novice keepers.

Species like the smoothhounds & the Atlantic Sharpnose may stay under 4' - but require either conditions(cooler water) or lots of room for swimming space(Sharpnose).

Smoothhounds can be kept in pools between 1200-2000 gallons(depending on the species), but require water temps below 75F - except for the Atlantic Smoothhound - which is a warmer water species.

Sharpnose are a small species of requiem shark, that is very gorgarious in nature - and general need to be kept with other members of it's species or other sharks of similar size. A single sharpnose requires a pool/tank that is nearly 3,000 gallons, a small group of 3-4 need about 10,000 gallons.


The best sharks for home aquaria are the following species.

- Coral & Marbled catsharks(A. marmoratus & macleayi) which only grow to around 2-2.3' in length. And can be kept in home aquariums under 200 gallons.

- Bamboos - specifically - the gray & Arabian - since they only grow to about 2.5' in length. The Whitespotted and Brown banded are more common - but both max out to at least 3' in length.

- the Epaulettes - while there are a few species of Epaullettes that stay under 3'. The only species usually available is the common Epaulette(H. ocellatum), which grows to about 3.5 ft. in length.

- the Horn(H. francisci) - native to southern CA & Baja. They max out at 4', but usually average around 3' in length.

But truthfully the best recommendation - I can make is before you spend the money on a tank & a shark. It better to research the different species available, and possible invest in a book on shark keeping. Scott Michael's book "Aquarium Sharks & Rays" , is a good one to begin with. Although there are others available on the internet.

Also general speaking - most standard size tanks are ill-suited for keeping most sharks. A small pool or custom built shark pond is much better. And it's also a bit cheaper to build than spending a couple grand on a large tank.

 

[Brenden]

krj-118 : Thanks for the informative reply. I have ordered " Aquarium Sharks and Rays" last week, hopefully I well get it in soon. I have been doing my research for about 3 weeks now. But I thought I would join this forum and get more information, and it was probable one of the best choices I made. I think what I will do is buy a 200 gallon tank, everything I need. And run it for a couple weeks to make sure the tank is all set up and the water conditions and temperature are perfect.

Please keep the information coming!

Thanks, Brenden

 

[Princley]

Tank size = HUGE..........Price = Varies 2 to 3 ft LOL only when cramped in a 10 gal
let the sharks swim the ocean!!!!!!!!!!!..... A 4ft shark should be in a LEAST a 500 gal tank to b happy and even then needs more space

 

[krj-1168]

Well- A 200 gallon tank will allow you to keep most "aquarium friendly" species of sharks for up to a couple years. The only two species that can be kept on a standard 200 for it's entire life are the Coral & Marbled catsharks.

But the bamboos, Epaulette, & Horn sharks will eventually require a larger tank.

Also is Scott's book also has construction tips on shark ponds. I've actually heard of people of have sharks ponds that are over 2,000 gallons

Also when it comes to keeping sharks - the tank/ponds footprint or surface area is more important than it volume(gallonage)

 

[Brenden]

I was told to get a tank about 7'-9' long, and about 30" in width. I looked up this size on websites and it came out to be about 200-250 gallons. Is this a good size for 2 Bamboo sharks or no? Please let me know so I can get the right tank.

Thanks, Brenden

 

[krj-1168]

I was told to get a tank about 7'-9' long, and about 30" in width. I looked up this size on websites and it came out to be about 200-250 gallons. Is this a good size for 2 Bamboo sharks or no? Please let me know so I can get the right tank.

Actually with a 24" depth - your looking about 260-330 gallon range.

As for is it fine for 2 bamboos - the really depends on the species your think of going with - Especially given the tank's width.

If it a small species like a gray or an Arabian - then maybe.

A larger species like White-spotted or Brown-banded, would only be able to be kept in there until the reach 24-28" range.

Truth is awith 2 sharks at that size - your better off with a small shark pond - about 8' diameter and 750+ gallons.

 

[Brenden]

I will mostlikly go with a Grey or an Arabian. Unless of course I do build a shark pond, the only problem is I live in Toronto, Ontario, Canada if by a shark pond you mean outside this will not work with the temperatures here. Unless theres a way of building one. Please let me know. As I said I am looking for the best ways to assure my sharks have the best home possible. So I am going to recap, a 200gallon tank is an ok size for 2 Grey or Arabian Bamboo Sharks but I would need a larger tank say 400gallons+ for a Banded or white spotted?

Thanks, Brenden

 

[krj-1168]

Shark ponds can be done indoors - provided you have enough room - like an unused corner of your basement or another heated building.

Also there a small poly pools that could also work.

If you've seen indoor koi ponds - then you have the basics for a small shark pond. Same basic principal - just increase the filtration to include sumps & skimmers, put on a couple over sized water pumps, add sand substrate, and enough salt to the water to raise the SG to 1.020 -1.025 range. Then let the pond cycle for about a month - then your ready to go.

I heard of people have shark ponds & custom built shark pools ranging from 300 to 35,000 gallons - indoors. For the record - the 35,000 gallon pool was a swimming pool converted to a shark tank, housed inside a large garage.