400 gallon reef with shark

[josh0302]

I finally have my full plan for my 400 reef tank with an epaulette shark. If anyone has any experience with this type of shark in a reef aquarium then please chime in. When people say that they are not reef safe I think they mean that they are not safe with mobile invertebrates and small fish but are safe with coral. Anyway, this is a list of fishes, corals, and mobile invertebrates that I plan to put into my tank.

Fish

-1 epaulette shark

-3 convict tangs (I heard they are peaceful if introduced at the same time)

-5 azure damselfish (They are one of the more tolerant damselfish with their own kind)

-1 scribbled damselfish

-1 chain eel

-1 saddle butterflyfish

Corals

-lavender mushroom coral

-neon pineapple tree coral

-cabbage leather coral

-trumpet coral

-colony polyp, neon green

Mobile invertebrates

-2 red tuxedo urchins

-20 narcissus snails (in refugium because of the shark and the eel)

-2 serpent stars

This is not my first aquarium but my first shark tank. Please leave any comments or questions you have below. Also comment on any problems you have with my plan. Thanks!:spin3:

 

[d-man]

They will knock everything over. They are awesome sharks but need decent room and "walk" on everything

 

[Betta132]

I've seen this species of shark before. They bulldoze things with their faces, and they're too heavy for corals. You'll have to tuck coral down into really steady alcoves or something.

 

[josh0302]

Ok. I will leave plenty of floor space for the eppie and I will make sure to secure the coral well.

 

[jjk_reef00]

The butterflyfish will definetly pick at the shark, the tangs will likely pick at it also.
They grow to over 3' so you will have very minimal rock in the display tank.

Not sure if youi've read this but a good starting point before you purchase:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2225937

 

[Dmorty217]

The butterflyfish will definetly pick at the shark, the tangs will likely pick at it also.
They grow to over 3' so you will have very minimal rock in the display tank.

Not sure if youi've read this but a good starting point before you purchase:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2225937

+1 any grazer stands a chance of picking at the sharks skin or eyes. Naso tangs usually fair well as far as a tang goes. Soldier fish, look downs, some groupers hamlets and similar fish make good tankmates for sharks

 

[SoloChromis]

I honestly don't think that'll work for a shark. They really need a big sandy pond if they are going to be kept with any success :fish2:

 

[goby12345]

They are mini bucket loaders they dig up corals and frag em when you dont need to

(Dont do it)

 

[Dmorty217]

I honestly don't think that'll work for a shark. They really need a big sandy pond if they are going to be kept with any success :fish2:

This is inaccurate. Most sharks need alot of room, Epaulette sharks are the best suited shark that stays under 30" and walks thru the tank much more often than swimming. There are plenty of books out there on the subject written with biologist backed facts instead of just being written by a hobbiest that rate the Eppie as the best shark for captive care sighting 300g as being able to house a breeding pair. Alprazo and Zoodiver agreed with this also and they have more experience with sharks than anyone on this forum

 

[eatbreakfast]

Usually babies are what are available and they often have trouble competing for food. When I have seen them successfully kept they were started off being hand fed until they got the hang of feeding time.

They also like to have some cover from bright reef lighting under a rock or alcove.