Hi, can I get some info on what you all feed your sharks? I've tried many things, and I wan to hear what others feed their sharks and how often, etc. Just curious, cuz I read some things produce thyroid problems, etc. Thanks for your input.......
Shark food
- Thread starter boogie
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Hi, can I get some info on what you all feed your sharks? I've tried many things, and I wan to hear what others feed their sharks and how often, etc. Just curious, cuz I read some things produce thyroid problems, etc. Thanks for your input.......
For Black Tipped reef sharks we were feeding either mackerel or Herring dosed with Zoomed vitamins
Sorry - forgot about this thread - I usually go to another site regarding my shark tank, but you guys are so quick and have so many members.....
I feed my sharks talapia, squid (I use bait but will stop and get human consumptions cuz that is what you should use only), shrimps of various kinds, basically any seafood/fish that will sink to the bottom and I buy mostly from Ralphs for some reason. I do not eat fish, but my sharks eat well. I used to feed them smelt, but in the book (aquarium sharks and rays by scot michael) - WHICH I RECOMMEND TO ALL SHARK KEEPERS - says that smelt can give them thyroid problems.
I feed my sharks talapia, squid (I use bait but will stop and get human consumptions cuz that is what you should use only), shrimps of various kinds, basically any seafood/fish that will sink to the bottom and I buy mostly from Ralphs for some reason. I do not eat fish, but my sharks eat well. I used to feed them smelt, but in the book (aquarium sharks and rays by scot michael) - WHICH I RECOMMEND TO ALL SHARK KEEPERS - says that smelt can give them thyroid problems.
boogie;2888818; said:
Actually the all knowing Mr Michael's is wrong (on more than just this). His entire book is laughed at by many a shark/ ray keeper. (Wait's for KRJ to see this thread....)
Smelt has nothing to do with thyroid issues. It's the lack of a mixed diet that will do it. Thyroid issues are due to a lack of iodine in the diet, which sharks get from live/fresh killed food. They use iodine in the production of thyroxine, a major factor in how elasmos break down food. (Sea Life Park in Hawaii did a great study on this relationship using white tip reef sharks.)
Carpet sharks are the ones who seem to suffer the most from it, and it's a simple fix of feeding a healthy mix of foods and/or supplementing it with a vitamin made for sharks (Mazuri Shark/Ray tabs are great).
For my bamboo and PJ I rotate between squid,raw shrimp,whiting,and smelt.I know some here may fiercely disagree but when I got my bamboo a few years ago at six inches it wouldnt touch anything untill I gave it earthworms.Oh yeah,I give them shark formula sometimes.
As for "Aquarium Sharks & Rays" by Scott W. Michael - it basically should have been called either "Introduction to Basic Shark & Ray Keeping 101" or "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Keeping Shark & Rays" for all the correct & useful information in the book.
But for all the information that the book has correct - it also has some serious and rather outdated flaws. Things such as the water temperature recommendations(for several species), the minimum tank size recommendations(for most species), and even the medications/treatments for diseases, and equipment for filtration systems are out dated.
But for all the information that the book has correct - it also has some serious and rather outdated flaws. Things such as the water temperature recommendations(for several species), the minimum tank size recommendations(for most species), and even the medications/treatments for diseases, and equipment for filtration systems are out dated.
Some of the information in the book may be outdated but almost ten years has gone by since it came out so I guess the information was current for its time.I have his other book as well but that one is more for identification.I havent seen any shark keeping books by anyone else and I dont recall the mention in his book about smelt causing any kind of deficiencies.