Wobbegong and Morays?

[Jabba954]

Way to ask for advice, then bad mouth it when you don't get the answer you want from someone who actually owns a wobbegong.

Since you failed to answer WHAT species of wobbie you're talking about, I'm just going to assume you're a fool and poseur, and not bother with this thread again.

 

[Canadian]

Absolute Minimum recommended tank/pond size: For a single average size adult Japanese Wobbegong - about 50 sq.ft. (Tank - 10' long x 5' wide x 2' deep, or a Pond - 8' Diameter), with a volume of 750 gallons. A pair or small breeding group of 2-3 sharks need at least 64-72 sq.ft. (Tank - 12' long x 6' wide x 2.5' deep, or 9' Diameter), with a Volume of at least 1,250 gallons.

Are you sure its a species that stays that small? The japanese only tops out at 39" and still is suggested such a large home. Sometimes with sharks swimming space is important but water volume can play so much more of a role than just space. Maybe there is someone that can explain why a 4ft bamboo can live in a 450 and the wobby needs so much more room. Instead of people getting all bent out of shape.

I honestly think your eel will be food.

 

[alprazo]

FYI my wobbe that was 13 inches tried to eat a 15 inch epaulette. In didn't succeed in eating it because I intervened. It did however kill it.

Have you ever seen this photo? That is (and maybe was) a mature male port jackson. It is a really really bad idea. You have already been given good advice from people with years experience. Why dismiss them when they are taking the time to educate you?

 

[DB junkie]

Way to ask for advice, then bad mouth it when you don't get the answer you want from someone who actually owns a wobbegong.

Since you failed to answer WHAT species of wobbie you're talking about, I'm just going to assume you're a fool and poseur, and not bother with this thread again.

Orectolobus ornatus

There's the species for ya.

Fool and poser? Yup. Real newb here.

This thread was just to ask opinions.... General consensus is no. Thank you for the advice. Not wanting to risk the thing in my avatar becoming sharkbait. So they won't cohab.

 

[krj-1168]

Are you sure its a species that stays that small? The japanese only tops out at 39" and still is suggested such a large home. Sometimes with sharks swimming space is important but water volume can play so much more of a role than just space. Maybe there is someone that can explain why a 4ft bamboo can live in a 450 and the wobby needs so much more room. Instead of people getting all bent out of shape.

Actually the japanese wobbie has a maximum size that is slightly larger than a Brown-banded Bamboo or Ocellated Epaulette. As for a wobbiegong needing more space than a Bamboo or Eppie of similar length - the answer is they don't. But then you realistically can't keep a 3.5' Bamboo or Eppie in a 450 -500 gallon tank for it's natural life either. Although many private aquarists foolishly believe you can.

As for the Ornate Wobbie - can reach nearly 4 ft in length - so a minimum tank/pond size for life would be about 950 gallons ( 9' in diameter).

 

[Canadian]

I don't think its foolish. I believe that an eppie or bamboo could live in a 450, more specifically a 480g 96x48x24.

Krj I have even read posts of you stating that the minimum would be in the range you just said was foolish. I don't see how a less active shark couldn't live in that tank alone, and fully grown. Can you clear this up?

 

[krj-1168]

I don't think its foolish. I believe that an eppie or bamboo could live in a 450, more specifically a 480g 96x48x24.

Krj I have even read posts of you stating that the minimum would be in the range you just said was foolish. I don't see how a less active shark couldn't live in that tank alone, and fully grown. Can you clear this up?

Again - it all depends on the exact species in question.

Yeah - you could likely keep a single PNG Eppie, or Arabian Bamboo in a 480 gallon tank for life. But then both of these species tend to stay around 30" in length. Like wise you could like keep a single Cobbler's Wobbie (which can reach up to 3 ft in length) in a 480 gallon for life. It also will depend on how much rock work you have in the tank.

But then a Arabian Bamboo isn't a Brown Banded Bamboo, and a PNG Eppie isn't an Ocellated Eppie. And like wise - a Cobbler Wobbie is not an Ornate Wobbie. They are different species (although similar in basic design), they have different requirements.

Generally for benthic sharks - the tank size will increase preportionally, with the increase in the shark's overall size.

But on average a single Ornate Wobbie which reachs about 4ft - will need a tank/pond that large enough to house a 3.5 ft Brown banded Bamboo or Ocellated Eppie. Also were Bamboos and Eppies can do fine with a shallow depth of about 2 ft, a larger wobbie may need the tank/pond to be slightly deeper.

And then if you plan to house more than 1 shark or ray in the tank/pond - then it will need to be even larger still. And remember that while - the shark may be able to get by with a smaller tank (i.e minimum suggested size) - the bigger & more roomy the tank/pond is - the better it is for the shark. Even a fairly inactive species -like wobbegongs will use the extra space - if they are given it.

 

[DB junkie]

So would my 4x10x2.5 work for this Wobby for life or not? If rock in the tank is an issue I could put it elsewhere.

 

[Canadian]

krj-1168
08-25-2006, 7:45 PM
Well - there are actually 3 members of this genus of sharks that are commonly seen in the U.S.A.

These are -

The Brownbanded Bamboo - AKA the Banded Catshark(note - it's not a true catshark), or banded Bamboo. The Brownbanded is a very hardy species, and the largest member of it's genus. While they can reach up to 40 inches in length(not 4ft), the rarely get above 3ft in length. It also should be noted that the adults lose than banded stripes, and actually look more like a small(3 ft long), tan colored, nurse shark.
Yes, the 180 gallons is the minimum tank size for this shark recommended by in Scott Micheal's book. But the really do better in a custom build 240 gallon(7ft long x 3 ft wide x 1.5ft high) or even a 300 tank.

The Whitespotted Bamboo - AKA the Marbled Cat shark(not to be confused with A. macleayi - which is the Marbled Catshark). The Whitespotted Bamboo can grow to about 3 ft in length, but usually averages about 30-32 inches in length. While they can live in tanks as small as a 150 gallon, they will do better in a 180 to 240 gallon tank.

The Grey Bamboo is the smallest of the group - with a maximum adult size of just 30 inches, and usually average about 26-27 inches. So these little guys can be kept in a 140 gallon tank. Also they are usually a bit rarer(and harder to find) than the Brownbanded or Whitespotted, but are still priced less than 150 bucks.

But the truth is for aquarium sharks - it kind of hard to beat the Bamboo sharks. All three are wonderful little sharks.

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Also shark and Ray forum you have a write up that is suggesting 750+ for a brown banded but when a guy comments and asks what he can get away with cause he really wants it you suggest a 450-500 and say it will work for life. I know the one above is old but the shark and ray is more recent.

So, does a shark that sits around all day really require more water than a brown banded? If so, then why?

In your experience how did your sharks do in the 240, and smaller tank sizes?

Did they get to big and then you realized that was to small?


I am not disagreeing with giving the fish the best you can, I am just trying to understand where people can stop dreaming and start owning.

 

[Comatose]

I'm curious about actual experience as well... I've never personally kept a wobbie, and from what I understand they don't make splendid tank mates with anything. Is there a particular reason you want one over an eppie? I've had a few of them and they're splendid. IMHO a 240 is fine for either epaulette species for life provided filtration is spectacular.

Also, if you're dragon is aggressive towards other fish of equal size (not sure if you said it was or not), then I wouldn't keep it with anything.