Help! My Shark Is Dying

[Crumbs]

Hobbyists are not killing the shark population with their pets..... [/B]

Fishy Mel, Im really sorry about your loss and fully support you trying to find the cause of its death. I did think that it was important to point out however that hobbyists are having an impact on shark populations. The INUC Red List evaluated four species of Bamboo Sharks as Near Threatened and it is important for people to realize this. Here are a couple quotes from them regarding Bamboos threats.

"The extent to which the species is exploited from the wild for the marine aquarium trade needs to be investigated and the industry should be encouraged to be self-regulated, ensuring stock is drawn from sustainable sources."

"Collection for the aquarium trade is a minor threat, especially as the species is hardy and will breed prolifically in captivity"

This is one reason why if one is to keep sharks they should be in breeding programs and support captive bred stock from suppliers like Tropicorium.

Best of luck finding the cause. It may be helpful to donate the shark to a local biology class for analysis.

http://www.iucnredlist.org/search/s...iteria=wholedb&taxa_species=1&redlistCategory[]=all&country[]=all&cty_default=1&aquatic[]=all&aqu_default=1&regions[]=all&reg_default=1&habitats[]=all&threats[]=all&redlistAssessyear[]=all&growths[]=all

 

[FishyMel]

I know that the shark egg I had was tank bred. I don't see the purpose of taking any wild sharks anymore (bamboos, eppies, and cat sharks), considering people are able to successfully breed them in home aquaria.

Thanks for the info, I think it is important for people to realize what dire straits sharks are in right now. If people don't do something we will see many species of sharks go extinct sooner than we think.

 

[joeyt66]

Are there any marks on it? Could the ray have stung it?
25% water change is enough that if something wasnt exact could have changed drastically (ie. temp ph, Salinity)
You said he ate well the same day? Is it possible he ate to much, maybe choked?
I know sometimes you try to do the best thing for the fish we keep but sometimes the best thing to do is not to do drastic changes to the animals(ie moving him to a different tank) I cant count how many times ive done this and the results were the same as yours. Obviously this was not the original problem but he would have stood a better chance in his own tank IMO. Were your nitrates high before the big water change? Could there have been something in the bucket you mix your salt in? (Maybe the other fish werent sensitive too)?How long did you mix the salt for?
Dont be down on your self these kind of things happen to all of us.

ps sorry if some of the questions seem novice im just trying to help determine what happened

 

[FishyMel]

No Problem, I am too trying to figure out the initial cause.
No marks on the animal of injury, I did mention her color lately had been getting the more mature coloration. Lighter black stripes, browner white stripes. She did not eat to the point of choking and befaved normally after the feeding. I once again was concerned it was the water and that was the reason I moved her. The nitrates were at 5 ppm prior to the water change. (Just the usual change) The water had been mixed in a tub I've been using for 2 years or so and mixed with a pump for a week.

 

[Lrgclasper]

I've heard of sharks dieing from ray stings in aquarium before and I had one die from a lionfish sting. An otherwise healthy animal should not just "croak."

 

[reefer334]

PM replied





Chris