So you want to buy a shark? (Shark primer) - Page 4

Holyhands22 · 06/01/2013, 09:26 PM

Thanks for the input i will be doing more research.

Holyhands22 · 06/03/2013, 06:03 PM

How well do sharks ship? From the west coast to the east coast. Its summer time here so its been in the 90's should i ask for extra ice packs things of that nature.

Zoodiver · 06/04/2013, 06:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jsherm

I am hoping someone may have good advice on some options or recommendations for me. I have 250g rectangular tank and a brown banded cat/carpet shark that is about 2.5 ft long. I’ve had him for about 2 years, and unfortunately think I will be moving to a condo downtown and can’t take the tank. I just want to make sure he goes somewhere good, preferably to a larger tank. I live in North Florida. What are my best options; would he be able to survive if I released him? Would an aquarium want him?
Thanks.

I can take it off your hands if you are willing to ship or transport it down. It can go into my 5,000 gallon shark display.

Def don't release it. It's illegal and they are not native to our waters.

alprazo · 06/17/2013, 08:49 PM

Another reminder.

Grubbelmuz · 06/18/2013, 06:56 AM

I have a question regarding groups. I currently hold 2 Bamboos and are planning to expand that nummber, Is there anny fighting risk if you have 2 males and 3 females? or shoud you have 1 male and 3 females etc.. I take you have some advice to give on this matter. Goal is to start breeding them when they come of age.

Regards: Grubb

G4546 · 06/18/2013, 05:12 PM

From what I've read and pending on the size of the home you have for them, is that conspecific males can get a little rambunctious with each other. Maybe G or Alprazo can chime in on how many females would safely go with a single male. Also, by the way, thank you for the post Alprazo, keeping everyone up to date like always

alprazo · 06/18/2013, 09:21 PM

It is hit or miss. Some males don't seem to mind each other. Others attack any similar male in the tank, juvenile or adult. My male short tail tolerated one male shark in the past but will kill any other male I put in the tank.

Grubbelmuz · 06/19/2013, 02:07 AM

So, try to avoid more than one male then. How about the females, more easy to mix?

Zoodiver · 06/19/2013, 07:05 AM

I agree, it varies with the shark. Specifically speaking of benthic sharks: I've kept large mixed sex groups together without issue, but I've also seen the flip side where males will bit claspers and fins of other similar species males. My best luck was excess space and blocking line of sight. If they had enough places to get away and hide from each other, they seemed to do better with multiple males in the same display.
ORVs don't tend to have the same male vs male issues that I've seen with benthics.

Bobborocco · 06/20/2013, 01:25 PM

After reading this and many other articles i would like to say thank you! I had planned on making my 180 a shark tank, but after reading and reading i decided not to. Not fair for the shark to be in a small tank like that!
Oh yeah by the way new member here! Lots and lots of good info on this site!

sharklover567 · 08/16/2013, 07:39 AM

Thanks for the information man,somebody who is at least helpful on the keeping sharks unlike some people on this forum.

Danny Mac · 08/17/2013, 12:30 AM

So how about a 62" x 62" x 24" custom aquarium with the overflow in the middle of the tank? Maybe an eppie and a bamboo/smaller cat? I have a really good friend of mine who does custom acrylic and since i just got a new house i have been planning a bigger aquarium. I would probably need at least an 80 plus gal sump? I would want a pump that would turn over the tank volume 6-8 times an hour. Huge skimmer. I assume lots of live rock or are ppl still using bio balls for the FOWLR?

Danny Mac · 08/18/2013, 03:57 PM

I may possibly do 72" x 60" by 24"... any thoughts? what sharks would do well in a tank like this?

Zoodiver · 08/22/2013, 05:40 AM

Most of the bamboos, epaulettes and tropical catsharks would do just fine.
If you want to do something a little more unique, look into a good chiller and that will open the door for cold water catsharks and swell sharks.

danimallaminad · 09/28/2013, 06:39 PM

What would you recommend as a tank size for a grey bamboo? not just minimum but comfy?

krj-1168 · 10/07/2013, 11:24 PM

Well general speaking - minimum for bamboo sharks would be about the following
Length = 4 x maximum species length
Width = 1.5 x maximum species length.
Height = 0.8 x maximum species length.

So minimum for a Grey Bamboo - would be a tank about 10 feet x 4 feet x 2 feet. Since their maximum size is about 30 inches.

But to make it comfy - then go with at least a 10 feet x 5 feet x 2.5 feet = which about 900 gallons.

marcgrantphoto · 10/14/2013, 12:40 PM

There use to be a LFS in Kansas City that had 3 Lemon sharks in the 2 to 3 foot range in a 16 foot diameter round pool. They swam non-stop round and round in circles. Not a good life for a shark.

griseum · 10/14/2013, 05:05 PM

Lemon Sharks normally take breaks from swimming. They like to lie and rest on the bottom. Believe it or not, they are not ORV or obligate ram ventilators.
All that to the side, the sharks average adult size is outrageous for an aquarist to keep unless they are the owner of a Mega-Aquarium. That, and Lemons are notoriously aggressive. A two-foot Lemon pup is practically a new born.

Lots of better options out there. If you must have a shark, and you are not in the Forbes Top "Whatever" list, stick with a bamboo, eppie, cat shark or the like. And you'll still need a custom aquarium, or better yet pond, the size of a decent bedroom, with lots and lots of electricity powering big pieces of Filtration Equipment.

Zoodiver · 10/16/2013, 05:39 AM

I agree. When it comes to sharks, it's usually cheaper to think outside the tank - go pond or pool. For the money you'd spend on a bare minimum size glass tank/stand, you could have several thousand gallons of above ground pool.

krj-1168 · 10/16/2013, 03:33 PM

Lemon Sharks are a species which should allowed to never be kept by private aquarists or in LFS. When you consider the size of pond or tank need to keep one for life(at least 100,000 gallons), and the maximum size of adults(11-12 feet). These sharks truly need to be kept in a public aquarium.

BabyB · 11/06/2013, 10:46 AM

Hello everyone,

First off I wanted to that you guys for such a great primer!
And secondly I wanted to bounce ideas off of you guys and ask a few questions.

I have the opportunity to get a custom made tank for basically any size I want (within reason) and have been in love with horn sharks for about a decade but have never had a tank to house one for its entire life. I have been bouncing detentions around and am leaning towards 96"X32"X24" or 100"X32"X24". It will be a mixed reef with nothing to crazy on fish or coral.

What would your reservations be about keeping a California Horn Shark in this sized tank?

I have also seen many recommendations to supplement with vitamins in the food. What brands/products do you personally use or recommend.

Thanks for the help

Fr0zEn4244 · 11/06/2013, 02:09 PM

I fed my shark scollops, every once in awhile soacked in iodine. I had a few corals that my shark swam through and killed. Sharks and reefs dont work IMO.

Zoodiver · 11/09/2013, 11:30 AM

Just throwing this out there, Cali horn sharks (and most horn sharks) generally thrive in cooler/cold water set ups. It will be a touch over 3 feet long as an adult.
I used to keep them in the mid/upper 60F range. I wouldn't let them get much warmer than about 71/72F at the top end for temp range (kind of cold for most typical coral). It will greatly shorten lifespan of the shark when kept warmer. Also, sharks can crash water quality quickly and will hide from the bright lights required for coral.

norfolkgarden · 11/16/2013, 11:41 AM

What is the best way to insulate the bottom of the 8' round stock pond from ambient temps?

We get 3" thick, 2'x8' Styrofoam sheets at work for various jobs. No clue what they will support in weight evenly distributed or long term. Walking on them doesn't seem to hurt them much. Just a first thought.

Thank you,
Matt

griseum · 11/21/2013, 08:26 AM

I have had 3" styro sheets with the same dimensions under my pond for over 5 years now with no trouble. On the sides i have, if i remember correctly 1" or 1.5" then 3/4" plyboard. Then there are two 90mil EPDM pond liners on top of all that. I try not to walk on it as much as possible. Im sure by now there's been a great deal of compacting on the bottom 3" styro. Its such a large body of water that it does remain pretty stable. I control the temperature by the ambient room temperature. This is simple because around more than half of the pond's outer sides lies baseboard heating. Then in the warmer months, despite being in the basement, there are window wells with normal-size windows for ACs and exhaust fans.

06/17/2013, 08:49 PM	#79
alprazo Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 1,695 Blog Entries: 4	Another reminder. __________________ NOT Moved on.

06/18/2013, 06:56 AM	#80
Grubbelmuz Registered Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Sweden Posts: 15	Groups of shark I have a question regarding groups. I currently hold 2 Bamboos and are planning to expand that nummber, Is there anny fighting risk if you have 2 males and 3 females? or shoud you have 1 male and 3 females etc.. I take you have some advice to give on this matter. Goal is to start breeding them when they come of age. Regards: Grubb

06/18/2013, 09:21 PM	#82
alprazo Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 1,695 Blog Entries: 4	It is hit or miss. Some males don't seem to mind each other. Others attack any similar male in the tank, juvenile or adult. My male short tail tolerated one male shark in the past but will kill any other male I put in the tank. __________________ NOT Moved on.

06/19/2013, 07:05 AM	#84
Zoodiver As seen on TV Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: South FL Posts: 571	I agree, it varies with the shark. Specifically speaking of benthic sharks: I've kept large mixed sex groups together without issue, but I've also seen the flip side where males will bit claspers and fins of other similar species males. My best luck was excess space and blocking line of sight. If they had enough places to get away and hide from each other, they seemed to do better with multiple males in the same display. ORVs don't tend to have the same male vs male issues that I've seen with benthics. __________________ Real tanks require a wetsuit to clean.

08/17/2013, 12:30 AM	#87
Danny Mac Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Colorado Posts: 75	So how about a 62" x 62" x 24" custom aquarium with the overflow in the middle of the tank? Maybe an eppie and a bamboo/smaller cat? I have a really good friend of mine who does custom acrylic and since i just got a new house i have been planning a bigger aquarium. I would probably need at least an 80 plus gal sump? I would want a pump that would turn over the tank volume 6-8 times an hour. Huge skimmer. I assume lots of live rock or are ppl still using bio balls for the FOWLR? __________________ Current Tank: 90 gallon reef. ADHI 30 sump w/ refugium. Super Reef Octopus XP 2000 internal. Supreme Classic 950 gph return pump. Vortec MP40. Tunze Osmolator 5017.

06/01/2013, 09:26 PM	#76
Holyhands22 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Baltimore,md Posts: 152	Thanks for the input i will be doing more research.

06/03/2013, 06:03 PM	#77
Holyhands22 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Baltimore,md Posts: 152	How well do sharks ship? From the west coast to the east coast. Its summer time here so its been in the 90's should i ask for extra ice packs things of that nature.

06/18/2013, 05:12 PM	#81
G4546 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Central, FL Posts: 477	From what I've read and pending on the size of the home you have for them, is that conspecific males can get a little rambunctious with each other. Maybe G or Alprazo can chime in on how many females would safely go with a single male. Also, by the way, thank you for the post Alprazo, keeping everyone up to date like always

06/19/2013, 02:07 AM	#83
Grubbelmuz Registered Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Sweden Posts: 15	So, try to avoid more than one male then. How about the females, more easy to mix?

06/20/2013, 01:25 PM	#85
Bobborocco Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio Posts: 73	After reading this and many other articles i would like to say thank you! I had planned on making my 180 a shark tank, but after reading and reading i decided not to. Not fair for the shark to be in a small tank like that! Oh yeah by the way new member here! Lots and lots of good info on this site!

08/16/2013, 07:39 AM	#86
sharklover567 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: New York Posts: 36	Thanks for the information man,somebody who is at least helpful on the keeping sharks unlike some people on this forum.

08/18/2013, 03:57 PM	#88
Danny Mac Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Colorado Posts: 75	I may possibly do 72" x 60" by 24"... any thoughts? what sharks would do well in a tank like this? __________________ Current Tank: 90 gallon reef. ADHI 30 sump w/ refugium. Super Reef Octopus XP 2000 internal. Supreme Classic 950 gph return pump. Vortec MP40. Tunze Osmolator 5017.

08/22/2013, 05:40 AM	#89
Zoodiver As seen on TV Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: South FL Posts: 571	Most of the bamboos, epaulettes and tropical catsharks would do just fine. If you want to do something a little more unique, look into a good chiller and that will open the door for cold water catsharks and swell sharks. __________________ Real tanks require a wetsuit to clean.

09/28/2013, 06:39 PM	#90
danimallaminad Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Posts: 436	What would you recommend as a tank size for a grey bamboo? not just minimum but comfy?

10/07/2013, 11:24 PM	#91
krj-1168 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Eastern, NC Posts: 382	Well general speaking - minimum for bamboo sharks would be about the following Length = 4 x maximum species length Width = 1.5 x maximum species length. Height = 0.8 x maximum species length. So minimum for a Grey Bamboo - would be a tank about 10 feet x 4 feet x 2 feet. Since their maximum size is about 30 inches. But to make it comfy - then go with at least a 10 feet x 5 feet x 2.5 feet = which about 900 gallons. __________________ Bigger is better, especially when it comes to shark tanks.

10/14/2013, 12:40 PM	#92
marcgrantphoto Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Kansas City, Mo. Posts: 46	There use to be a LFS in Kansas City that had 3 Lemon sharks in the 2 to 3 foot range in a 16 foot diameter round pool. They swam non-stop round and round in circles. Not a good life for a shark.

10/14/2013, 05:05 PM	#93
griseum Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 823	Lemon Sharks normally take breaks from swimming. They like to lie and rest on the bottom. Believe it or not, they are not ORV or obligate ram ventilators. All that to the side, the sharks average adult size is outrageous for an aquarist to keep unless they are the owner of a Mega-Aquarium. That, and Lemons are notoriously aggressive. A two-foot Lemon pup is practically a new born. Lots of better options out there. If you must have a shark, and you are not in the Forbes Top "Whatever" list, stick with a bamboo, eppie, cat shark or the like. And you'll still need a custom aquarium, or better yet pond, the size of a decent bedroom, with lots and lots of electricity powering big pieces of Filtration Equipment.

10/16/2013, 05:39 AM	#94
Zoodiver As seen on TV Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: South FL Posts: 571	I agree. When it comes to sharks, it's usually cheaper to think outside the tank - go pond or pool. For the money you'd spend on a bare minimum size glass tank/stand, you could have several thousand gallons of above ground pool. __________________ Real tanks require a wetsuit to clean.

10/16/2013, 03:33 PM	#95
krj-1168 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Eastern, NC Posts: 382	Lemon Sharks are a species which should allowed to never be kept by private aquarists or in LFS. When you consider the size of pond or tank need to keep one for life(at least 100,000 gallons), and the maximum size of adults(11-12 feet). These sharks truly need to be kept in a public aquarium. __________________ Bigger is better, especially when it comes to shark tanks.

11/06/2013, 10:46 AM	#96
BabyB Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: okc Posts: 84	Hello everyone, First off I wanted to that you guys for such a great primer! And secondly I wanted to bounce ideas off of you guys and ask a few questions. I have the opportunity to get a custom made tank for basically any size I want (within reason) and have been in love with horn sharks for about a decade but have never had a tank to house one for its entire life. I have been bouncing detentions around and am leaning towards 96"X32"X24" or 100"X32"X24". It will be a mixed reef with nothing to crazy on fish or coral. What would your reservations be about keeping a California Horn Shark in this sized tank? I have also seen many recommendations to supplement with vitamins in the food. What brands/products do you personally use or recommend. Thanks for the help __________________ Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great. _ ~Mark Twain Current Tank Info: 220 reef tank, 10 fowlr, 9 gallon cherry shrimp tank, 55 gallon planted tank

11/06/2013, 02:09 PM	#97
Fr0zEn4244 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Mentor, Ohio Posts: 221	I fed my shark scollops, every once in awhile soacked in iodine. I had a few corals that my shark swam through and killed. Sharks and reefs dont work IMO.

11/09/2013, 11:30 AM	#98
Zoodiver As seen on TV Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: South FL Posts: 571	Just throwing this out there, Cali horn sharks (and most horn sharks) generally thrive in cooler/cold water set ups. It will be a touch over 3 feet long as an adult. I used to keep them in the mid/upper 60F range. I wouldn't let them get much warmer than about 71/72F at the top end for temp range (kind of cold for most typical coral). It will greatly shorten lifespan of the shark when kept warmer. Also, sharks can crash water quality quickly and will hide from the bright lights required for coral. __________________ Real tanks require a wetsuit to clean.

11/16/2013, 11:41 AM	#99
norfolkgarden Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Norfolk, Virginia, USA Posts: 258	What is the best way to insulate the bottom of the 8' round stock pond from ambient temps? We get 3" thick, 2'x8' Styrofoam sheets at work for various jobs. No clue what they will support in weight evenly distributed or long term. Walking on them doesn't seem to hurt them much. Just a first thought. Thank you, Matt

11/21/2013, 08:26 AM	#100
griseum Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 823	I have had 3" styro sheets with the same dimensions under my pond for over 5 years now with no trouble. On the sides i have, if i remember correctly 1" or 1.5" then 3/4" plyboard. Then there are two 90mil EPDM pond liners on top of all that. I try not to walk on it as much as possible. Im sure by now there's been a great deal of compacting on the bottom 3" styro. Its such a large body of water that it does remain pretty stable. I control the temperature by the ambient room temperature. This is simple because around more than half of the pond's outer sides lies baseboard heating. Then in the warmer months, despite being in the basement, there are window wells with normal-size windows for ACs and exhaust fans.