Shovelnose shark help

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
SG130

SG130

Banned
Nov 2, 2007
30
0
0
you'd like to know
so ive just placed an order for a shovelnose shark,and its cage is setup and all and ive only got 14 days until it comes,but this is the info on the sight is that enough info because i dont really know:Minimum Tank Size: 1000 gallons
Care Level: Expert Only
Tank Conditions: 72-78°F; sg 1.020-10.25; pH 8.1-8.4; dKH 8-12
Max. Size In Aquarium: Up to 5'
Color Form: Tan, Gray
Temperament: Aggressive
Reef Compatible: No
Diet: Carnivore
Compatibility: View Chart
Origin: South America
Family: Rhinobatidae


The Shovelnose Shark is also known as the Guitarfish, or Shovelnose Guitarfish. It is a bottom dwelling shark that has a very flattened appearance to its body. The head typically comes to a point at the snout.

To alleviate the chance of acquiring a wound and subsequent infection, a fine sand substrate is required in the aquarium, as its abdomen is easily scratched by a coarser substrate. It should never be exposed to copper-based medications. When first introduced into the aquarium, small pieces of cleaned squid or live saltwater feeder shrimp should be used to entice this fish to eat. Then it may be fed shrimp, scallops or pieces of fresh marine fish.:confused:is that enough,because u know how those sights can be.p.s. its live aquaria,
 
Well, right off the bat, you didn't get a shark. You have a ray. They have grinding plates charateristic of rays, not the jaw and teeth set up a shark has. Depending on what they send you - only about 50% of the info they gave you is right. And there is a lot they failed to tell you at all.

Right off the bat I'll warn you - some species are endangered and highly protected. Others are banned and restricted due to being "native" to some areas of the US. Hopefully, you won't run into legal issues.


The typical pet trade guitars sell for anywhere from $75 to $150 depending on the source. They will be 5 feet or more and need a lot of room to swim. Foot print of the tank is far more important than over all volume. I'd suggest something at least 10 feet x 20 feet with at least a 2 foot depth for one as an adult. Even better yet, look at something round - like a 20' cylinder. To start with, they do well in 6 foot cylinders.(Notice that isn't anywhere CLOSE to the size they suggested.) The fine substrate is correct info. Nothing too course for young, but they do ok with gravel as adults. Water parameters look ok - expect for temp range. Depending on what area this was caught, I'd match that. I'd bet it's one off of California if I had to guess - meaning keep it upper 70s to low 80s (F). Food needs to be vaired: fish, squid, shrimp, krill.... but you'll need to do an iodine supplement based on weight of the animal. PM me for more info on that if you need it.

What size is the one you have/will have?
 
SG130 - Is this another one of your pranks again? Why purchase a specimen you know nothing about? Do your research.

Also Matt, SG130 is the kid who also claimed he has owned Frilled Sharks before so dont be surprised when he makes another thread for another Shark soon.
 
no,see my avatar.thats the picture of it from the site i ordered it from.i sware!ill get pics as soon as it comes.also,i did do reasearch,still am.i just thought it would be helpful to get infromation from here.see what other people had from experience personally,because most sites haven't had true experience
 
SG130 - How old are you? Lets be serious here, becasue in all honesty this "spamming" is not going to go over well with the Staff here at MFK if you continue it. Can you please post pictures of your tank?
 
Ok - Why buy any elasmobranch (shark or ray) on impulse? This is NEVER a good combination. Here's a few basic rules to consider.

1st - Always do research - before buying any shark or ray. These means check multiple sources, including books, magazine articles, and various online sources.

2nd - Never trust the info coming from a website that is selling the species - Often times they misquote or state the size of tank need for juvenile specimens. Even worse still they may have inaccurate species names - such as banded cat shark for a Brown-banded Bamboo. Which can make accurate identification difficult at best, or even be down confusing.

3rd - talk to people on Online Aquatic Forums(like this one) that either have direct experience with the species, or at least a basic understanding of what is needed to care for this species, your considering.

4th - plan to keep it for it's entire life time. This means understand, and be ready to keep the shark or ray even when it reachs it's full adult size. Often times - Public aquariums will not take sharks or rays that have out grown home aquariums. And selling growing sharks or rays is very difficult, since the percentage of aquarist that own very large tanks tends to be quite small. And also it's illegal (without very special permits) to return captive sharks or rays to the wild - even if they are native to the area.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom