shark pond plan questions

[Urchinhead]

I am worried about this plan because I want to provide the sharks with an environment they will be comfortable/happy in and want to make sure I have done all I can to provide that so here is my plan. Please be gentle. I haven't pulled the trigger on this and am only in the planning/research stages...

I am planning to take a precast pond and mount it into a tabletop display to use as a shark pond. It would be aprox 300ish gallons 6' x 4' x 2' with rounded sides and plumbed with sump/skimmer/etc. Fine sand in the bottom and minimal rock work inside the pond with a few mangroves or the like for decoration with fake rock on the outside to disguise the tabletop. I was thinking 1-2 cat or Hasselt's Bamboo shark's for the display along with 2-3 yellow tangs. In essence a much smaller version of the shark lagoon at the Long Beach Ca aquarium.

1st question is would that size be ok for those sharks?

2nd question is would it be safe to place the sharks into a 25 gallon 24" x 20" x 15" AIO QT tank for a period of time while I get them eating regularly and make sure they are healthy?

They would be coming from a wholesaler as newly hatched and I would want to make sure they are eating well and parasite/disease free before putting them into the pond...

3rd question is my feeding plan would be to start with PE Mysid 3x a week moving up to silversides with vitamin supplements as the grew in size. Is that appropriate or is there something else I should be doing?

4th question is those tangs with sharks is fine or a bad idea?

 

[Zoodiver]

I'd suggest something other than Hasselt's bamboos. They are a pain to keep and just don't do well in captive settings. For a small tank like that, coral catsharks or marbled catsharks would be your best bet. Another shark to look into is the Japanese banded hound. They are hard to come by, but very active and have an amazing pattern to them.

I'd skip the yellow tangs as well. They can pick at benthic sharks. Look into small
schooling fish (chromis, anthias) or other predatory fish (groupers, hogfish). Anything that is a grazer will have the tendancy to pick at the eyes and fins of the sharks.

For quarantine, just make sure they have enough space to swim. I can set you up with a treatment plan if you find out they have something when they come in. Getting them eating is the biggest thing for pups. Sharks tend to be very healthy over all. PE Mysis is a great way to start them. Pups I'd feed small amounts to daily until they get a few month old, then cut back to every other day once you can tell they are growing and strong. Pups have a very high metabolsim in comparison to the adults of any given speices.

 

[Urchinhead]

Thank you sir! That is what I will do then! I asked the Aquarist at the LB Aquarium about the tangs for the very reason you mention and was told it was an attempt at algae control so that is where the idea came from.

They should have enough room to swim based on the dimensions and my expectation of them being in the 5-6" range at time of purchase. Any tips on getting them to eat? Or where to find those Japanese ones?

 

[Zoodiver]

It will be enough at first. The thing to consider is swimming space for adults. Even though benthic sharks spend a lot of time laying on the bottom, they still need room to swim. I like the coral and marbled cats for smaller tanks. The adult size is under 24". Try and go a least 1.5 times the length of an adult shark for the shortest side of the tank with small benthics like this.

I've had a LOT of success getting pups to take PE Mysis. If not that, then fresh salmon usually does the trick. Just make sure to give them time. It might take a week or so. Another trick for your first sharks is getting some that are already eating.

For the Japanese hounds, I only know of one guy importing them right now. I can PM you his contact info if you'd like.

They are fun to watch.

 

[Urchinhead]

Cheers mate. Oh and my comment on room was for the QT tank not the final tank for them.

From the sound of it for a 24" (2 foot) shark I would want at least a 3 foot width which I have with the width being 4 feet but what about the length? The final tank would be a preformed pond liner (soft edges) at 6 foot long by 4 foot wide by 2 foot deep.

As to PM'ing me, thank you! But right now I am in the plan/decide to go or no go/build stage. Once the table and pond are setup and ready I will take you up on that. Right now its a top down display and will be in doors. But from the sound of it if I do want to do this I should think about something quite a bit larger than planned...

 

[capo larzo]

Like He said, i wouldnt go with hasselts bamboo.
But if you do, hatchlings are very very tiny and a 25 gallon quarantine would be fine for them and easier to observe/treat as well.
But i really really suggest going with a coral cat and perhaps a shark a bit older.

A hasselt pup is like the worst of both worlds.
Its extremely hard to get eating at any size and then on top of that its a hatchling/pup which in any species is also hard to get eating.

With that pond and the dimensions, i would start with something like an 8" coral cat shark, then add another coral cat shark of the opposite sex perhaps. At 8" it would be best to add them a few weeks apart just to allow your bio to catch up a little bit.

Its also always bettter to buy sharks you can observe first hand before purchase. That way you can check there bellys for redness, infections, parasites. As well as their gills. Two of the hotspots for little critters.

I also love the triakis scyllium. Its japans version of the leopard shark and is closely related smoothhound. Very active compared to benthic sharks. And very beautiful as the above picture shows. Even better in person however.

As far as ponds go, Ive had mine for 3-4 years, its far different than yours. I built the frame and lined it myself as opposed to a pre-cast. I say GO BIGGER!! haha

Bigger is better with sharks always!

I can also help you with design ideas and plumbing stuff as well.

 

[capo larzo]

Deleted double post

 

[capo larzo]

pic of adding water and running pumps

 

[Urchinhead]

Thank you guys! The idea is to build this into a table actually so that's why its the size it is. However what I am angling for is to build an outside pond by the pool and spa where I can go big. However I am dealing with She Who Must Be Obeyed so I have to start small. I will switch to the 8" coral cat. Any idea's on a good place in Los Angeles to find them?

The idea is that we have to resurface the pool and redo the deck in the next few years which will mean tearing up the entire deck and stuff which means when the deck is up I have an opportunity to slip the bobcat guy an extra $20 to dig another hole...