OMG SHARKS!!!

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yoitsfrankk

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Jul 27, 2008
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New Jersey
Can I make a suggestion? Can a Moderator please make a sticky about aquarium sharks!!!! I am tried of having to read about people wanting a 5 ft. shark in a 10g.
 
Great idea and i agree! I know alot of the marine mods are swamped working on other ideas and such but im going to plant a seed with Water_baby83, Zoodiver and anyone else and see if we cant write one up... i would try do it but with my current situation im not really available to devote my time to something of this statue. Great idea and i will try my best to expedite your thoughts.

Kory
 
excellent idea. threads asking these questions are all too often answered by, no offence to those, we all have good intentions, but inexperienced people who get their info from various dodgy websites before people like ZD and WB can get to the thread.
 
Yeah -a single sticky about aquarium shark may help - but it would take a couple of stickies to truely do it justice - even then it would likely be more of cliff notes version.

Also there's a big difference in the size of tank a 5 ft shark would need - depending on the type of shark.

For example a 5ft benthic shark (such as a Port Jackson) - may only need about a 2,500 gallon (110 sq.ft system) to keep it. While a 5ft active ORV (Obligated Ram ventilator)- such a Bonnethead would require a system that is more than 16,000 gallons (at least 530 sq.ft).

But if you limit the term "Aquarium Shark" to just sharks that can realistically be kept by private aquarists - in a system(tank/pond) of no more than 2,000 gallons.

Then that would cover the following groups of sharks - Catsharks, Bamboos/Epaulettes, Horn Sharks, Small Wobbegongs,& Small Carpet sharks.
Which would cover dozens of species.

However - if the term "Aquarium Shark" were to include any shark that can be kept in an Aquarium - be they private home aquariums or massive public aquariums. Then your talking about any shark from a 16" coldwater catshark to a 40 ft Whale Shark. Which is a very huge range.
 
One is in the works. I am juggling about 5 stickies that I am doing right now though and just completed the hard coral one last night, so give me some time, and it will be posted.

Also, anyone who wants to contribute can do so and PM pictures, information, species suggestions (which sharks you feel should be covered), as well as ask specific (and re-occurring) questions which can be answered with the sticky.

A note about PM'ing information:
While doing my best to remain modest, I have to let you know that if this is information you found on a quick web-search, I assure you I probably know it already, especially considering those searches provide very basic information, and I have been working with these animals for years.
However, if you come across anything of true depth and wish to share it - including new research, or articles from regarded individuals or institutions, please feel free to share. You will be acknowledged within for any contributions.
 
Well Emi - as for species, just covering the most "aquarium friendly" and common species that are available to private aquarists would be dozens of species. But only about 6 Families.

- True Catsharks (Family - Scyliorhinidae)
- Bullhead or Horn Sharks (Family - Heterodontidae)
- Bamboos & Epaulettes (Family - Hemiscyllidae)
- "Dwarf" Wobbegongs (Family - Orectobolidae) - those under 5' in length.
- Blind Sharks (Family - Brachaeluridae)
- Collared Carpet Sharks (Family - Parascyllidae)

Although I'm pretty sure you already know this. ;)

Naturally it would likely be best to keep it limited to the most popular species in each family.
 
I agree with krj-1168 it would take too long to name each species that are somewhat suitable. I think if you give a brief general overview of the family and provide the common sharks from those families it would be better. I would write a sticky but I'm pressed for time taking this intense zoology class plus I'm not the best person for it.
 
serafino;2155684; said:
I agree with krj-1168 it would take too long to name each species that are somewhat suitable. I think if you give a brief general overview of the family and provide the common sharks from those families it would be better.

:ROFL:Are you kidding me, I would be co-dependent on tylenol if I attempted to write that in any reasonable amount of time along with everything else I have going on. LOL. I always intended to only cover the most common of the most suitable sharks. There will probably be a dozen or fewer as there is only a select group which are not only suitable for the vast majority, but they are the most common of that select group as well.

This is something i had planned long before this particular thread was brought up, I am just working on a lot right now, so it takes time.
 
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