Shark Pond Question

[Ali]

Better - still just completely scrub the idea of getting a Scalloped Hammerhead.

These sharks are ill-suited to be kept in small private shark ponds. They tend to be hard to keep unless - your a well funded Large Public Aquariums - like MBA.

As I've and others have suggested before - stick with Blacktip Reef, Bonnetheads or Sharpnoses.

I will probably follow this advice for now until I have a better understanding of shark husbandry and available space.

Regarding compatible species for a BTR shark in a 2000g+ aquarium/pond how do the following stand:

Bumblebee grouper (epinephelus lanceolatus)
Blue-spotted grouper (cephalopholis argus)
Napoleon Wrasse (Cheilinus undulates)
Teselata eel (Gymnothorax favagineus)

I am aware that the wrasse can get to 6.5' and that the Bumble bee grouper can way up to 880 lbs but I have plans for them IF they even get close to that size.

 

[UnderwaterGirl]

I really don't mean to discourage you, but what is going on? I read on another site that you want a lion or a tiger and an alligator?
I don't think you realize what you are getting yourself into. Don't push this whole shark thing if you don't know what you are doing. Go to school! Better yet, get experience at your local aquarium.
I care about sharks very much and I don't want some kid to not be able to take care of it. Just because Bull sharks are really cool, doesn't mean that you have to have one. If you are really passionate about sharks, work with them in a public aquarium. Aquariums are great because they teach the public shark conservation. If you seriously care about animals as much as you say you do, you will take my advice. If I had as much money as you claim to, I still wouldn't build a shark pond in my back yard, because I know that it wouldn't be good for the shark. I can't believe we are still even having this conversation. Sometimes i think its just for the sake of argument.

 

[Ali]

I really don't mean to discourage you, but what is going on? I read on another site that you want a lion or a tiger and an alligator?
I don't think you realize what you are getting yourself into. Don't push this whole shark thing if you don't know what you are doing. Go to school! Better yet, get experience at your local aquarium.
I care about sharks very much and I don't want some kid to not be able to take care of it. Just because Bull sharks are really cool, doesn't mean that you have to have one. If you are really passionate about sharks, work with them in a public aquarium. Aquariums are great because they teach the public shark conservation. If you seriously care about animals as much as you say you do, you will take my advice. If I had as much money as you claim to, I still wouldn't build a shark pond in my back yard, because I know that it wouldn't be good for the shark. I can't believe we are still even having this conversation. Sometimes i think its just for the sake of argument.

I am a crazy guy with a lot of things I am passionate about. Whatever I take on I become a master at. If you knew me you would understand. Please do not think that I am some kid who is getting a shark just to have a shark or whatever. Their is a lot that can be done with these animals in captivity. Growth rates, feeding habits, and electroreception are just a few of the many aspects of sharks which can be explored with a captive shark.

I am into anything with power. Whether it be sharks, huge rhoms, crocodilians, large felines, schutzhund, motorcycles, turbine jets, even politics, you name it I am into it. I live my life to the fullest by pursuing the passions that I have. I believe that God has given me the ability to pursue my passions and set limitless goals for myself. I take advantage of this ability as I am now by building a shark pond.

I have talked to the Long Beach Aquarium biologist and honestly he did not impress me with regards to shark husbandry. He new the basics (filtration, illness treatment, feeding) but he didn't offer any "insight" into the world of shark husbandry.

 

[krj-1168]

Ali- I understand that your passionate about alot of things.


So here's a few suggestions - for you check to look into.

If you want an exotic cat - check out the serval or caracal - these are two really cool looking smaller exotic wild cats. Servals look like small cheetahs with big ears - and when raised from kittens - they can act like 25-40 lbs cats that can jump up to 12 ft high & run 45 mph. Caracals are like mini-cougars - with black tuffs of hair at the points of their ears. About the same weight as the serval - caracals are slightly stocker in build.

As for the big cat - stick with the cougar - it's the size of leopard - but if raised as a cub, can be very gentle - much easier to keep than a lion or tiger.

As for crocodilians - the best choice is the caimans - specifically the dwarf caimans - if you can get them. They generally grow about 4'. But also can have a very nasty temperment. the speckled caiman is larger about 8', and considered to be a little more mild tempered.
Alligators get huge - usually average 10-12' - and can grow up to 15-16'.

But as always, I would highly recommend that check your state and local regulations on keeping such exotic pets. Before actually getting one.

As for the Blacktip reef - I would recommend going with the 24' diameter pool - although -6' deep would truely be best. A 24' diameter x 4' deep would work for several years with a blacktip reef. Just make sure you have at least a 2' wall around the tank to keep the shark from jumping out. Remember the size of your tank will directly impact the length of time you wil be able to keep the shark.

 

[Brenden]

I would have to agree with UnderwaterGirl on this. There comes a time when you need to put the sharks best interests infront of yours. Becasue even though many of these sharks are available to home aquarists doesnt mean there suited for home aquariums, or personal built shark ponds. If you really care that much about these fish, admire them in there personal enviroment or at a large public aquarium where they have enough room. If you truely want a shark, stick to the smaller sharks. The Bamboo and Eppulate (sp) sharks are great for home aquariums of the right size, and the Black and White Tip Reef sharks are great aswell under the circumstances the aquarium or pond is the right size. I have always wanted to own a Zebra Shark but simply will never do so becasue I know I cant give it the swimming space it needs. Just take this into consideration, you can compare it to humans if you like. Sure a human can live in a closet given all the basic necessaties (sp) but will the person be happy? Ask your self if the shark truely will be happy in your size pond first before making the purchase. There are alot of great people on these forums who are willing to help, so take there advice its free and will save you alot of grief in the long run.

 

[UnderwaterGirl]

I am a crazy guy with a lot of things I am passionate about. Whatever I take on I become a master at. If you knew me you would understand. Please do not think that I am some kid who is getting a shark just to have a shark or whatever. Their is a lot that can be done with these animals in captivity. Growth rates, feeding habits, and electroreception are just a few of the many aspects of sharks which can be explored with a captive shark.

I am into anything with power. Whether it be sharks, huge rhoms, crocodilians, large felines, schutzhund, motorcycles, turbine jets, even politics, you name it I am into it. I live my life to the fullest by pursuing the passions that I have. I believe that God has given me the ability to pursue my passions and set limitless goals for myself. I take advantage of this ability as I am now by building a shark pond.

I have talked to the Long Beach Aquarium biologist and honestly he did not impress me with regards to shark husbandry. He new the basics (filtration, illness treatment, feeding) but he didn't offer any "insight" into the world of shark husbandry.

Just because the shark biologist at Aquarium of the pacific didn't tell you much, doesn't mean anything. I would be a bit skeptical of a 16 year old coming to me and asking me what i knew about keeping Bull Sharks. I would probably laugh right in his face even. People in aquariums have vast knowledge of shark behavior and are constantly working on shark research. Leave it to the professionals that have the experience and space for this.
You can't learn very much about a shark's behavior if the shark is swimming in a 12' pool. That is like learning about human behavior when the person is in solitary confinement. Please heed my advice. LEAVE THESE SHARKS ALONE!!!!

 

[UnderwaterGirl]

One more thing. If you do learn about shark behavior, are you going to publish it or just keep it to yourself. Unless you actually know how to publish something and are a person that is highly respected in the field, no one is going to take your research seriously. Go to school. Get a job at an aquarium.

 

[Zoodiver]

Bumblebee grouper (epinephelus lanceolatus)
Blue-spotted grouper (cephalopholis argus)
Napoleon Wrasse (Cheilinus undulates)
Teselata eel (Gymnothorax favagineus)

#1: would do ok with a black tip, but too large for a 2000
#2: Would do ok with a black tip
#3: Illegal to own, and still needs a much larger tank (try 20,000 gallons - said from experinece)
#4: Would get munched by a black tip

Sub point A: 2000 is too small for a black tip.

I agree with alot of what was said. get some knowledge under your belt.

 

[krj-1168]

I talked with a quite a few people on other forums that have attempted to keep blacktip reefs in 2000-4,000 gallons system. And generally the result is always the same. The shark out grew their system - usually in less than 2-3 yrs. And they had to give their "pet" shark away to a public aquarium.

I've also talked with 2 people who claim to kept blacktip reefs in larger systems - one attempted to keep a blacktip in 5,000 -the other was about 10,000. While the blacktip reefs were able to survive in their tanks longer - Still the end result was still the same. The Blacktips still out grew the system.

As Please note - that in "Aquarium Sharks & Rays", it's recommended that the minimum tank size needed for a blacktip reef is about 6,000 gallons. Which is obviously, way too small for a blacktip.

So if you want to keep a Blacktip Reef -especially if your planning on keeping it for it's entire life span. Then you should At least plan to double the minimum recommendation, to at least 12,000 gallons. Although, a 3 to 5 fold increase of the minimum(18,000 - 30,000 gallons) would be better for a blacktip reef.

 

[kirelem]

this comment might come a bit late...but .. i had a shark pond before and it contained two black tipped sharks and several bat rays... had loads of fun...and since it was soo large most of the filteration was done naturally... via live rocks and a diatom filter i used weekly. You will need tons of live rock but it will pay off in the end. Had that pond running for over five years... sharks grew too big.... so i had to donate em..