Tank Stocking Need help picking tank and fish

[Stingray12]

Last year my plans got twarted do do insufficient money and time. But this year I will have enough money to do this. I do have experience with saltwater aquariums, i had one a couple years ago but the tank leaked so i got another one and that one also leaked so i gave up. Ok here it goes:

The Fish
I want a coral catshark. This would be the showpeice so Are They Active Enough to be a good center peice or do they hide?

Now If I get the shark, I couldnt get angelfish, trigger fish, and lionfish, I'm I correct?

I want a longhorn cowfish, would they be suitable with the shark, Is it true they emit toxins that can kill tankmates?

I also want a very active eel, one that shows itself all the time, ANY SUGGESTIONS?

I definetly want the shark and a very active eel and any other suggestions for tankmates would be appriciated?

What size tank would I need also? TY in advance

 

[krj-1168]

Last year my plans got twarted do do insufficient money and time. But this year I will have enough money to do this. I do have experience with saltwater aquariums, i had one a couple years ago but the tank leaked so i got another one and that one also leaked so i gave up. Ok here it goes:

The Fish
I want a coral catshark. This would be the showpeice so Are They Active Enough to be a good center peice or do they hide?

Now If I get the shark, I couldnt get angelfish, trigger fish, and lionfish, I'm I correct?

I want a longhorn cowfish, would they be suitable with the shark, Is it true they emit toxins that can kill tankmates?

I also want a very active eel, one that shows itself all the time, ANY SUGGESTIONS?

I definetly want the shark and a very active eel and any other suggestions for tankmates would be appriciated?

What size tank would I need also? TY in advance

The minimum size tank for a Coral Catshark - IMPO - is at least a 270 gallon (6'L x 3'W x 2'T). Although larger would be even better.

Coral catsharks do tend to be more active than bamboos & eppies. But they still hide often during the daytime. And tend to be more active at night or during feeding time.

It's possible to keep an eel with a Coral catshark - if they're both about the same size. If one's quite a bit larger than the other(by about 1 ft) you could likely have big problems.

As for tank mates - I would consider - Angels, Triggers, Lionfishes, puffers, porcupinefishes, cowfishes, & boxfishes to unsuitable for any shark tank.

 

[Stingray12]

I search in other forums and in some of these you mention must smaller tanks around 180 gallons. I could get up to a 240 gallon or maybe a 300 if i find 1 used.

 

[krj-1168]

I search in other forums and in some of these you mention must smaller tanks around 180 gallons. I could get up to a 240 gallon or maybe a 300 if i find 1 used.

Yeah - the problem with these smaller figures(180 gallons or less) are often based off Scott Michael's minimum tank size estimate. I admit that a few years ago - I was quoting "Aquarium Sharks & Rays" as if was the Bible - which is not, by any means.

Since that time I've learn to trust the aquarists with hands on-experience - not what a book says. In the past couple of years I've done lots of research, and talked with several shark aquarists that know what it truely takes to keep sharks. And as a result - my knowledge & understanding of basic requirements for sharks has greatly increased. Now I like to pass on what I've learn to help others.

btw - a good place to check out for tanks is - glasscages.com

They have aquariums from 5 gallons to 500 gallons - including some "custom" sizes. Which would be better suited for keeping sharks.

 

[Stingray12]

I could go with glasscages they do go to Ny near november but Im really hoping there will be a setup on mfk they i could buy near the summer

 

[TheSaltwaterGuy]

As for tank mates - I would consider - Angels, Triggers, Lionfishes, puffers, porcupinefishes, cowfishes, & boxfishes to unsuitable for any shark tank.

And also disregard any Butterflies that you may come across. They are also bad tankmates for sharks.

 

[Rbacchiega]

now I'm confused. I've got in my 250 a 7 inch lion (black) and my newly aquired sharkthinger...still unidentified, all though I'm leaning towards a "zebra" bamboo shark (which would make sense)

but you guys are saying that's not a good thing????

 

[TheSaltwaterGuy]

Its not particularly a bad thing, there's just always the threat of the shark bumping into the lion and getting stung, then dying. I would prefer not to have a lion in a tank with my shark, but thats just me. You'll probably be fine.