So, on a spur of the moment vistit to my local fish store I bought a shark. It is about 4in. I was told the it is a smaller species then they noramlly get in as it was smaller then the normal size juvi they get in. I was told it is a cat shark, and now that I am looking around this site, it appears to be a marble shark, but not quite the same. I think it has more marking, I am just assuming that they go away with age. Anyway, the shark is not eating. I have heard and read it can take up to a week to get it to eat. I have been reading on diff ways to get it to eat, with types of food and using garlic guard etc. Right now it is in a 4ft 33g tank, which is more then enough room for now, yes I will move it to a larger tank. Right now I have the tank as a bare bottom, but will add sand eventually. Could that be affeting the shark? Also what type of filtration has anyone used on their shark tank? I was told this shark should only get around 2ft and that I could keep it in a 90g tank, which now I'm reading might not be true. Any info would be appreciated.
New to sharks, won't eat.
- Thread starter Shananagans
- Start date
Some sharks will starve them selves to death in aquariums, especially a tiny one like that it needs a bigger tank now. They are not the easiest to get to eat from my research especially in those conditions.
A 90g would be torture for any shark, that is WAY to small.
For now you should get him at least a 300g - 350g tank. 8'x3'x2' and even that will eventually be to small in my opinion where you'd want to look into a SW pond.
If you can't provide that I'd suggest taking it back.
As for filtration, the biggest and best you can afford.
And adding some soft sand may help, bare bottom tanks are not natural for them at all.
A 90g would be torture for any shark, that is WAY to small.
For now you should get him at least a 300g - 350g tank. 8'x3'x2' and even that will eventually be to small in my opinion where you'd want to look into a SW pond.
If you can't provide that I'd suggest taking it back.
As for filtration, the biggest and best you can afford.
And adding some soft sand may help, bare bottom tanks are not natural for them at all.
four inches?! what kind of "marble shark" does your fish look like? i'm dumbfounded on this one. what are the dimensions of your 33g? it may be a good idea to put it in the 90 right now. smelt, squid and scallop pieces have provoked the best feeding response in my experience with pups.
33g is a death chamber, its only a matter of time. I say you don't waste your money and buy a 300g (ASAP) from the start if you truly want to keep it and be responsible about it...
lots of REAL info & care sheets here >
www.sharkraycentral.com
lots of REAL info & care sheets here >
www.sharkraycentral.com
The pet store that I got him at had him in what I would assume was about 10gallons if that. Well, thanks for the advice, I don't think they will take it back and if they do it will probly be at a fraction of what i paid, but i would rather see it live. I have a 125g tank, but it is a reef, and I can't put him in there. Man, I am pissed. The guys said I might even be able to keep him in a 55, but prob a 75 to 125 would be better. Well, if anyone is around centeral jersey and is looking for a small shark. let me know.
Oh you guys calm down, it's a tiny baby right now, and won't put on much length or width for several months with proper management. It is not a "death chamber". LOL.
Now, while I may not get as dramatic on you as some of our *cough* passionate members do at times, I must agree that there would be no way to house this animal for any extended amount of time in the current tank he is in. I have to scold you on purchasing a shark without first taking the time to educate yourself on them, however, fault also lies with the idiot FS employee who convinced you that this shark would be fine in your current set up. And now for the notes....
In PINK
Now, while I may not get as dramatic on you as some of our *cough* passionate members do at times, I must agree that there would be no way to house this animal for any extended amount of time in the current tank he is in. I have to scold you on purchasing a shark without first taking the time to educate yourself on them, however, fault also lies with the idiot FS employee who convinced you that this shark would be fine in your current set up. And now for the notes....
Shananagans;2156856; said:So, on a spur of the moment visit to my local fish store I bought a shark.
G'head, read that sentence a few times and tell me where you see the red flags.
It is about 4in. I was told the it is a smaller species then they noramlly get in as it was smaller then the normal size juvi they get in.
Ok while that is "possibly, a little bit true"... overall they gave you a line of horse**it. Now, while pups average in size at birth, variations are not uncommon either, even human babies go above and below the averages... all the time...
BUT, 4 inches is rather concerning (if you are measuring properly and he is in fact that small). That's not just a runt, that's a removed-from-it's-casing-prematurely-and-yolk-sack-cut-so-it-could-be-sold--runt.
Like human babies, premature sharks do happen, and if far enough along in their development, they do have a rather good chance at survival if in the best of care.
But, when they are premature because of greedy suppliers who extract them as soon as the "egg timer" ding's letting them know they are old enough to survive long enough to ship, or if they are premature because of mishandling the casings..... Their chances are drastically lowered, not to mention the stress of shipping, acclimations (if even done properly), dealing with tank mates, at the mercy of FS employees, and then brought to your home - the consumer.
This is a terrifying trend which is rather new, but horrifying none the less. With more and more individuals within this hobby becoming educated on shark keeping, and conservation, and more reluctant to take retailers "for their word"; collectors, suppliers, and retailers alike have started devising plans to bridge the deficit they have encountered, and one shocking move has been introducing "smaller breeds", and "Dwarf Species" - which, scientifically, are non existent for those animals. Instead, they are immature pups - of the same species - which are harvested prematurely and sold off.
I was told it is a cat shark, and now that I am looking around this site, it appears to be a marble shark, but not quite the same.
Ok well one thing you should know is that "Cat Shark" is used as a catch-all for a plethora of sharks (mainly by LFS's). By Marble shark, are you referring to what is also known as (and more commonly referred to) a White Spotted Bamboo Shark? Marble, and "Cat" Shark are common nicknames.
Anyway, the shark is not eating. I have heard and read it can take up to a week to get it to eat.
When they are first born, yes this is true. Mainly due to the nutrient rich yolk which is absorbed from their umbilicus, but can also be extended due to stress.
I have been reading on diff ways to get it to eat, with types of food and using garlic guard etc.
Good, you are taking initiative. There are several ways, and several items which can be used to trigger predatory responses and encourage consumption - even in the very timid.
Right now it is in a 4ft 33g tank, which is more then enough room for now,
Well, there is really no such thing as "more than enough" room, when you compare it to the home that they have available in the ocean, however for the time being, if the rest of the measurements of the tank are reasonable, then it is fine for the time being. But I have to ask, what are the dimensions of your tank exactly if it is only 33 gallons and 4 feet long?
yes I will move it to a larger tank.
Good, because as stated, you'll have to.
Right now I have the tank as a bare bottom, but will add sand eventually. Could that be affeting the shark?
No, not necessarily. A thick, smooth sand bed is always preferred with these animals, however having them in a bare bottom tank for a while should not cause any health concerns, so have no fear. Yes, it's less natural, and they prefer sandy beds, so I would advise you to look into the addition of one, but no, that would not be the reason for him not eating.
Also what type of filtration has anyone used on their shark tank?
Sharks are highly intolerant of poor water quality, so making sure that your water is pristine and your parameters are always in check is the first step to ensuring a healthy shark. UV filters are recommended, and you should also have a good cannister or sand filter as well (probably cannister or sump being that sand filters are generally made for much larger bodies of water and are rather expensive.). You also need to note that sharks require the addition of vital elements into the water - Iodine being a big one.
I was told this shark should only get around 2ft and that I could keep it in a 90g tank, which now I'm reading might not be true.
Yea, again, the idiots at the LFS lead you in the wrong direction - either from unacceptable ignorance, or intentionally, lacking all integrity. They get larger than that (not by a whole lot, but still), and they require a decently higher amount of living space.
Any info would be appreciated.
Well, I hope I gave you some that was of use to you.
Shananagans;2158283; said:The pet store that I got him at had him in what I would assume was about 10gallons if that.
That's plain disgusting.
Well, thanks for the advice, I don't think they will take it back and if they do it will probly be at a fraction of what i paid, but i would rather see it live.
Well, I understand what you mean there. Most places who make these types of transactions do not want the animals back because they would much rather line their pockets with the next shipment coming in. But if you want to ensure it's health and vitality, you will need to step up your game here and start preparing for what it is going to require as it grows.
I have a 125g tank, but it is a reef, and I can't put him in there.
That would still be a bit small once he is fully grown. Why not build one of your own, or look into a nice 220?
Man, I am pissed. The guys said I might even be able to keep him in a 55, but prob a 75 to 125 would be better.
A 55!? Really. That guy needs to be fired. Thats ridiculous.
Well, if anyone is around centeral jersey and is looking for a small shark. let me know.
I'm not in Jersey, but if it comes down to it, I would be willing to take him. But I think you should try to see if you will be able to accommodate him... Since afterall, you purchased him.
In PINK
Actually there's at least 3 species - that LFS sometimes call "Marbled Cat sharks"
One is as Emi stated - the White-spotted Bamboo shark (Chiloscyllium plagiosum)- born at about 5.5-6 inches, and grows to about 3 ft.
The other two are true catsharks of the genus Atelomycterus - The Australian Marbled Catshark (A. macleayi) which grows to 24", and the Coral Catshark (A. marmoratus) whihc grows to 27" Both of these are about 4" at birth.
So ultimately - if possible photos would help in correctly IDing it.
One is as Emi stated - the White-spotted Bamboo shark (Chiloscyllium plagiosum)- born at about 5.5-6 inches, and grows to about 3 ft.
The other two are true catsharks of the genus Atelomycterus - The Australian Marbled Catshark (A. macleayi) which grows to 24", and the Coral Catshark (A. marmoratus) whihc grows to 27" Both of these are about 4" at birth.
So ultimately - if possible photos would help in correctly IDing it.