Jumped the shark.
- Thread starter Nightfall_fish
- Start date
Nightfall_fish
New member
Smallest are coral cat sharks. They'll get to just short of 3 foot long. Which means for life you'll be looking at a tank with a 6' x 9' foot print. Minimum. height doesn't matter so much. Most of the captive sharks you see however are like mine, brown banded bamboo sharks which get to about 3 1/2' long. Cost wise you're looking from $60 -$120 depending on the species and size at the time and where you buy it.
But if you're worried about the cost of the shark...you don't have a tank capable of keeping one. Wait until you do. Don't let your heart carry away the rest of you. Not having a plan in place kills animals. Plan first, use plan, fix whats wrong with plan, make sure you're ready.....then worry about the animal.
But if you're worried about the cost of the shark...you don't have a tank capable of keeping one. Wait until you do. Don't let your heart carry away the rest of you. Not having a plan in place kills animals. Plan first, use plan, fix whats wrong with plan, make sure you're ready.....then worry about the animal.
Nightfall_fish
New member
Awesome! I know a lot of people out there jump in first and think about it later. Wanted to make sure as i care very much about the well being of those creatures we bring into our homes.
Sounds like you're doing a lot of planning, and if you've got questions feel free to ask me or anyone else here who keeps sharks. I'm sure we'll all be happy to help. Good luck in your quest, and remember....POST PICS!
Sounds like you're doing a lot of planning, and if you've got questions feel free to ask me or anyone else here who keeps sharks. I'm sure we'll all be happy to help. Good luck in your quest, and remember....POST PICS!
TheSaltwaterGuy
New member
Foods include shrimp, krill, squid (Farrah's favorite), mysis shrimp, fresh fish flesh, and sometimes live SW fish and inverts.
Temp: 72-78*F
What size is the pool at your LFS? Like Nightfall said, a Coral Cat would need at least an 8' x 4' footprint. Bigger is better.
Temp: 72-78*F
What size is the pool at your LFS? Like Nightfall said, a Coral Cat would need at least an 8' x 4' footprint. Bigger is better.
Nightfall_fish
New member
A mix of meaty foods. Silver sides and squid are mainly what I feed though i try to mix it up with some shrimp on occation too. as for feeding, right now I'm trying to get her (Yeah, discovered he is a she. LOL) to eat on a nightly basis, but when she's older probably only every two or three days on a good feeding. as for water temp I keep mine at a steady 77f. Hope that helps. i'm sure that some of the more experianced shark keepers have some insights too.
Nightfall_fish
New member
As a side note the lagoon I'm building in my converted garage area is planned for 15' x 9' at a 4' depth. I plan to add another shark and maybe a ray or two depending on how things go. The best laid plans and all...
TheSaltwaterGuy
New member
With that size pond, you could go with a breeding group of Brownbandeds! 2 Females and a male would be nice, along with a pair of rays!
krj-1168
Member
Ok - the smallest species of shark - presently available - is the Marbled Catshark (Atelomycterus macleayi) - grows up to 24" (61 cm) long. Smaller cousin of the Coral cat. Needs a tank of at least 170-225 gallons (6'L x 2.5'W x 1.5-2'T) - also a 300 gallon pond would work for a single adult for life. Priced at about $100-$200.
Next - is the Coral Catshark (Atelomycterus marmoratus) - Grows to 28"(71 cm). Tends to be more active and aggressive than the Marbled, and swim more than the Bamboos. Needs a tank of about 235-315 gallons (7'L x 3'W x 1.5-2'T)for a single adult for life. A 8'L x 4'W tank or pond could keep a pair of adult coral cats for life. Priced at about $90-150 each.
3rd the Gray Bamboo (Chiloscyllium griseum) - grows to 30". Needs a tank that's at least 360gallons (8'L x 3'W x 2'T). Priced at about $150 each.
The White-spotted Bamboo, Brown banded Bamboo, California Horn & Epaulette all require tanks or ponds of at least 480 gallons for a single adult.
Actually that lagoon would be large enough to possible keep a pair of smoothhounds - If you so wanted.
But it is nice to finally see some people start to "over estimate" how much room a shark needs instead of always under estimating.
Nightfall_fish
New member
I give all my fish way more room than they "need". All my tanks are way under stocked. IMHO too much is just right. Guess that's why I have happy fish. LOL.
I was originally going to an outdoor pond/tank. However the neighborhood nosey woman threw a hissy fit about it and got the city to write an injunction so I can't build it. Oh well, just gotta put it indoors.
I was originally going to an outdoor pond/tank. However the neighborhood nosey woman threw a hissy fit about it and got the city to write an injunction so I can't build it. Oh well, just gotta put it indoors.
TheSaltwaterGuy
New member
I think it'd be better off indoors, anyways. You won't have to worry about precipitation or litter/garbage getting in your tank. Also, during winter months, you'd have to run your heater all the time, while in the summer months, you'd probably need a chiller. And even better, you can enjoy your shark pond while in the comfort of your house. 
krj-1168
Member
Yeah - an indoor pond/lagoon is much better - for all the reasons Chad stated.
As for "Too Much Room". There's not really such a thing - with sharks. Especially since they live in the great big ocean, and usually have home ranges from a few acres(Horn sharks) to hundreds of sq. miles.
But it's always better to give a shark more room than it's Minimum requirements.
As for "Too Much Room". There's not really such a thing - with sharks. Especially since they live in the great big ocean, and usually have home ranges from a few acres(Horn sharks) to hundreds of sq. miles.
But it's always better to give a shark more room than it's Minimum requirements.
TheSaltwaterGuy
New member
Anything new?
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