Unwise elasmobranch choices

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serafino

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Feb 27, 2008
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Ok I haven't seen one of these threads posted yet but it seems to me one should be started. I think we should post species of elasmobranchs that the average person should not try to tackle and keep themselves. Or species of elasmobranchs which would require extremely large tanks or have certain laws protecting them.

I'll start it off by mentioning a few. Then conditions where housing one is acceptable.

Black tip reef sharks (Carcharhinus melanopterus) - They grow very large and require very large tanks upwards of 20,000 gallons. Should not be kept by an unexperienced aquarist.

Leopard shark (Triakis semifaciata)- They can grow up to six feet long plus you cannot presently buy a leop under 36 inches in length

Bat Ray (Myliobatis californica)-The largest ever recorded in disk size was 6 feet which means these would require extremely large systems to properly care for since they need lots of room to move around.

So add on species you find are an illogical choice for most people. I'm not saying you can't keep these just that the requirements for these guys are generally out of reach for most people. Remember when you purchase an animal you become responsible for it its entire life and you may get one small but it will grow.
 
Well - I believe there was a thread done that's similar to this one about a year or so ago.

And the truth is no elasobranch should be kept by an inexperienced Sw aquarist. But as if we're talking species that aren't practical for the most elasmobranch aquarists. I got some suggestions.

1.) Lemon Shark (Negaprion brevirostris) - Grow to about 11' in length, weighs about 300-400lbs. Is known to be very aggressive species, that requires a tank/lagoon of at least 60,000 gallons of a single adult.

2.) Whitetip Reef (Triaenodon obesus) - Grows up to 7' in length. Also known to be very aggressive species, and requires a tank/lagoon of at least 25,000 gallons.

3.) Nurse Shark (Ginglymostoma cirratum) - While this species adapts to captivity very well, with a hardiness that revivals or exceeds that of the Bamboo & Eppie sharks. The big problem is this shark will eventual grow to be a very big shark - that average about 8-10 ft in length (with a species max of about 12-14ft), weighing about 200-300 lbs. As a result a single average size adult Nurse needs a tank/lagoon that is at least 20,000-25,000 gallons.

4.) Atlantic Sharpnose (Rhizoprionodon terraenovae) While in size this shark may seem to be the perfect requiem shark at a maximum length of just 4 ft. How ever this species is very swift moving, coastal shark that tend to be a bit high strung. So lots of swimming room is a must with this species. As a result to date the successes in keeping in captivity have been fairly limited. So far the only successes with this species require a highly experienced shark aquarist, kept only in small schools of 3 or more sharpnose sharks, and a large tank/lagoon of nearly 20,000 gallons or more.

5.) Bonnethead (Sphyrna tiburo) - While this is one of the smallest species (grows to about 4-5 ft) of Hammerhead sharks, and it does seem to do fairly well in captivity. Still this species must have a tank/lagoon with lots of open swimming area, and rounded or no corners. A single adult needs at least 14,000-15,000 gallons.
 
LOL - I don't know that it needs to be that limited - Matt

After all - Heterodontids (bullhead/horn sharks), most Carpet Sharks (under 6' ft), and small Smoothhounds(those that are about 3-4') also make suitable choice for home aquarist provided they are willing to have a tank/pond of a 600-4,000 gallons.

Species that are usually only for those aquarists with deep pockets, and lots of experience - include the following - large carpet sharks (over 6'), all requiem sharks, & Smoothhounds over 5' in length - all of which require large tanks/lagoon in excess of 5,000 gallons.
 
Bull shark (Carcharhinus leucas)-can kill you if you are stupid and grow to be around 7 feet in length

Zebra shark (Stegostoma fasciatum)- grow to around 12 feet in length practically harmless but the tank you would need for something this size is huge

Sand tiger (Eugomphodus taurus)- can grow to over 10 ft in length

And if these weren't obvious enough

Manta ray (Manta birostris) huge with a wingspan of over 25 ft across
haha I can just picture someone trying to fit one in a small pond with a crane and realizing its a new pond cover

Another extremely obvious one not to have is
Whale shark (Rhincodon typus) ok if you are stupid enough to even consider one of these note only one aquarium in the world is large enough to have one (the georgia if your interested) whale sharks are called whales for a reason they get up to 40 feet in length
 
ok
1. i think whale sharks are protected so you wouldent be able to get one anyway
2. the georgia aquarium is not the only aquarium that keeps whale sharks, there are several asian aquariums that keep them
 
Ok I was unaware of number 2 I'll change the original post. Some people are unaware of protection laws though and may snag a baby one from the ocean nearby. However unlikely it may seem I'm sure someone has at one point in time taken one home with them.
Thanks
Nope can't do it. I'll just post it again revised here
Bull shark (Carcharhinus leucas)-can kill you if you are stupid and grow to be around 7 feet in length

Zebra shark (Stegostoma fasciatum)- grow to around 12 feet in length practically harmless but the tank you would need for something this size is huge

Sand tiger (Eugomphodus taurus)- can grow to over 10 ft in length

And if these weren't obvious enough

Manta ray (Manta birostris) huge with a wingspan of over 25 ft across
haha I can just picture someone trying to fit one in a small pond with a crane and realizing its a new pond cover

Another extremely obvious one not to have is
Whale shark (Rhincodon typus) ok if you are stupid enough to even consider one of these note only a few aquariums in the world are large enough to have one ( or 2 in the case of georgia if your interested) whale sharks are called whales for a reason they get up to 40 feet in length
 
Well - just to note - Bull Sharks, Sand Tigers, & Whale Sharks aren't generally available to private Aquarists - but only to Public Aquariums. Like wise the same is true of Manta Rays.

Also Zebra Sharks (Stegostoma fasciatum/varium) are very hard to find and tend to be fairly expensive.

Also Note - Bull Sharks grow larger than 7'. They can grow to about 11-12' in total length and weight over 700 lbs.
 
I get confused easily when converting meters to feet lol. Although we should probably use the metric system anyway. Thanks for the right one. Also btw males stay smaller than females its usually females that get that big. I would assume females get bigger to carry more young since they are viviparous.
 
I think this thread is useless in a sense, no body is stupid consider a Manta Ray, Whale Sharks, Bull Shark, Sand Tiger, ect. In the end no specimen is ill-suited for home aquaria becasue if you can afford the system you can keep it. It all depends on how much you are able / willing to spend.
 
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