Newbie interested in shark(s) for private enjoyment.

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
Spine deformation is very real will housing larger ORV sharks (sharks that keep swimming).

The shark you posted pics of is a black tip. Many places shy away from those, and prefer to keep the Pacific Black tip reef shark. They stay smaller and do better in captive settings.
 
Okay - first off the shark in those photos is a Blacktip (Carcharhinus limbatus).

Second - it's a myth that all sharks need to move constantly in order to breath. The vast majority of species can actually be stationary and still breath normally. Only species which are ORV (Obligated Ram Ventilators) are required to constantly move in order to pump water over their gills. Those sharks tend be Requiem Sharks(like Sharpnose, Blacktips, Bulls, Tigers), Hammerheads, & Mackerel Sharks (Great White, Mako & Salmon Sharks).

Third - Benthic species - are bottom-dwelling non-ORV species. they breath by pumping water over their gills. Such species include Bullheads (Horn & Port Jackson Sharks), Catsharks, Nurse Sharks, Carpet sharks(Wobbegongs, Bamboos, Epualettes). Active level usually various depending on the exact family - but most get more active at feeding time.

As for active swimming species that mature at 3-4 feet.

Most available Smoothhounds - mature at 2.5-3ft, and max out at 4-5 feet.
Atlantic Sharpnose - mature at 2.5-2.9 feet, average about 39-42" in length, and max out at 4 feet.
Bonnetheads - mature at about 2.5-3 feet, average about 4 feet, and max out at about 5 feet.

While Blacktip Reef & Whitetip Reef Sharks tend to mature at 3-3.5 ft, they average 5 feet, and max out at about 6 feet.

As for Blacknose and "Mini-bulls" - Both species difficult species for a private aquarist to keep. Blacknose(C. acro although they max out at 5-6 feet - they tend to be tempermental. Mini-Bulls aka Finetooth(C. isodon) are roughly the same size as a Blacktip Reef, and have some difficult in acclimation to captivity. Also it should be noted that IMPO - Blacktip Reefs are a much better shark for a private aquarist than either of these species.

Before you settle on actual plans for the lagoon or on a specific list of species - may highly suggest that you first research(online) those species you've list, in most cases you have fine some useful information.
 
Yeah, that's the info I was looking for, now I know what those abbreviations mean. Now I know that Benthics are not supposed to always be on the move once they've settled in with their new habitat....but, that's what I'm actually looking for are sharks that are always on the move. So if I need to, I can expand this to whatever size would be suitable for 2-3 ORVs and a couple Benthic sharks....the area for placement is almost 50ft x 40ft, I have (5) 1.5hp Hayward pumps on the way, (7) sand filters made for 10k+ gallon pools, and enough plumbing to build me a PVC pipe-framed house, lol. So, to Zoo and krj, what size would you go with? I plan to introduce just a couple at a time, but eventually would like to have atleast 3 ORVs and maybe 3/4/5 Benthics. But, I can't afford the sharks that cost over a grand each, not in this present economy atleast....so yeah, there is a limit to the budget.

Thanks again for all the help, I've had wikipedia open on each species, and agree that some of those ORVs would NOT be a good choice....needa find ORVs that work with Benthics and vice versa.
 
When comes to sharks that are available to private aquarists - there are three group types.

Benthic - Bottom-dwelling, they rest on the bottom for most of the time.

Swimming Non-ORV - these species that don't have to swim in order to breath, but still they will swim between 50-80% of the time. Species in the group - include Lemon Shark, Whitetip Reef, and Smoothhounds.

Swimming ORV - these must swim in order to breath - they are always in motion. Species in this group - include Sharpnose, Bonnetheads, Blacktip Reefs.

Since you're looking for a combination of Swimming, and benthic sharks. And with a price tag of less than $1,000 per shark.That virtually elimates most of the requiems.

Here's a rough guideline to prices of Sharks to help you.

ORVs
Finetooth "Mini Bull" - $2,500-3,500 each.
Blacknose - At least $2,500 each.
Blacktip Reef - $1,000-1,400 each. (pups)
Bonnethead -$700-1,100 (for pups).
Atlantic Sharpnose - $350-550 (for pups)

Swimming Non-ORVs
Whitetip Reef - $1,200-1,600 each (pups)
Leopard Shark - $800-1,200 (3+ft)
Gray Smoothhound -$150-300 (pups)
Atlantic Smoothhound - $225-450 (pups)

Benthic Sharks
Japanese Horn - $600-750 each
Port Jackson's Shark - $400-550 each
Chain Catshark - $450-550 each
Ornate Wobbegong - $350-550 each
Papuan Epaulette -400-550 each
Epaulette - $300-500 each
Arabian Bamboo - 250-350 each
California Horn $150-250 each
Atlantic Nurse Shark - $100-250 each
Coral Catshark - $95-200 each
Marbled Catshark = $85-175 each
White-spotted Bamboo -$75-150 each
Brown-banded Bamboo -$65-125 each
 
I'd go as big around as possible in the space you have, leaving enough room for life support to be plumbed in.

Red Ewald fiberglass tanks work great to fit into set spaces. Aquatic Eco sells nice set ups as well, but will cost a bit more.
 
Ok, so ~2000sq ft tank....woohoo, this is gonna be fun. Guess I better get to digging if I wanna be done before cold weather moves in, working with water and cold wind is NOT a fun thing. I'll update after I get the land cut down and leveled and the external framework finished.

Thanks again guys, you've been great. Got me a keychain and t-shirt to show how proud I am of your hospitality and helpful info.

-Mikey.
 
Feel free to keep posting questions and updates. Several on here have been through this and will do what they can to help you out.
 
Also since your looking at keep your swimming sharks & benthic sharks together - it would be good to select compatitable species.

For example off southern California - you have - Gray Smoothhounds, Leopard Sharks, & California Horns.

Southeastern & Gulf Coast species - you have - Atlantic Sharpnose, Bonnetheads, Finetooth, Blacknose, & Nurse

So also should be aware of what water temps the sharks require.

As for research on the various species - wikipedia - might be a good place for basic information. But it's still best to do a detailed search as each species has different requirements.

Also most sharks you get will start out fairly small compared to their adult size. Attempting to start small pups(especially for benthic sharks) out in a large lagoon pond could create the problem of the sharks be unable to find the food.

This is why I keep saying research is key. Learn about the species you want to keep before building the lagoon/pond that you will need. And since you will likely starting with small pups - it better to build a smaller tank, pond/lagoon to pup the sharks out in. Then as they grow - build them the larger pond/lagoon for them to fully mature in.

Also important is to learn the seasons when these sharks are available - as most species aren't available all year long. Case in point - most Atlantic & Gulf coast Sharks - are only available between April thru Sept.
 
Thanks, that just made me go "phewww"....good thing I checked back in before cranking up the backhoe. Guess I could just do the circular 24' above ground to start off the pups, then just use a plastic-framed soft canopy style top to govern evaporation and wind chill (and keep out the nosey critters)....then later do the permanent inground unit with housed structure when they get older, maybe start the construction early spring of '11. Should I start out with the benthic pups first and then add in the ORV pups after the Bens have gotten to where they're eating regularly? Reason is, the Benthics would most likely be feeding off the bottom, but the ORVs may not let the food reach the bottom, lol.

After looking thru the different species that I can actually afford, I'm thinking I'll start with 1 of each of the following: Atlantic Sharpnose, Atlantic Smooth-hound(found out these were also called ?dogsharks?)....I would get a bamboo also, but I notice they're all from the Indo-West Pacific, anyone know if they'd bid well in the water temps that Atlantic fish need?
 
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