Shark Tankmates

[New_Tank_Guy]

Hi,

I have a friend who is building a 240g tank. He wants to keep a small type of shark ( banded,bamboo ) He was wondering what other tankmates can he have with it. He said he would like to keep a couple of Tangs, but I know they can be very mean. Could someone give me some ideas to share with him please.

Thanks

 

[DecoyDave]

Both of the sharks mentioned get up to about 3.5ft long. A 240gal tank is WAY too small for a shark, of any kind.

 

[Lord Voldemort]

Coral Catsharks can live in there for their whole life only maxing at about 2ft. The grey bamboo shark gets a little over 2ft. and many epaulette/bamboo species get 2.5ft but are unfortunately not common in the shark trade. Getting the Sharks and Rays book by Scott W. Michaels is a must. I own it myself.
About the tank mates. Rays would be ok. Eels would be my favorite as long as there is a closed top

 

[New_Tank_Guy]

OK I will suggest a Coral Catshark. What tank mates could he have?

 

[Lord Voldemort]

Added up there.

 

[mitzel]

as far as tangs go stay with the smaller species. such as yellows, purples , and black tangs . Larger tangs such a sohals can become aggressive . Sting rays are good tank mates . I would stay away from eels . Mainly because they need a lot of rock work to be happy and that would take away from the open swimming space of the tank. Groupers are good tank mates "EXCEPT" for they tend to be pigs and you might have to sneak food down past the grouper to the shark.


Just the advice of somebody that has actually had sharks and aggresive fish

 

[New_Tank_Guy]

Thanks I will let him know.

 

[John@JP]

I have
1 Brownbanded Catshark
1 Snowflake Eel
1 Orbiculate Batfish
1 Royal Blue Tang
1 Maroon Clown
1 Passer Angelfish

And they all get along great.

I am planning on also adding one or more of the following
Volitan Lion
Fuzzy Lion
Porkfish
Golden Jack
Humu Trigger
Shy Hamlet
Blue Spot Stingray
Porcupine Puffer

I just have to talk my fiancee into letting me get a bigger tank

 

[jjcrim]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7167411#post7167411 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by John@JP
I have
1 Brownbanded Catshark
1 Snowflake Eel
1 Orbiculate Batfish
1 Royal Blue Tang
1 Maroon Clown
1 Passer Angelfish

And they all get along great.

I am planning on also adding one or more of the following
Volitan Lion
Fuzzy Lion
Porkfish
Golden Jack
Humu Trigger
Shy Hamlet
Blue Spot Stingray
Porcupine Puffer

I just have to talk my fiancee into letting me get a bigger tank

If you add a huma huma or porcupine puffer then say goodbye to the shark. Generally passer angels will end up being problems too but I don't know how long you've had yours.

BTW, just out of curiosity, your caption mentions a 75 gallon reef and a 45 gallon fowlr... is your list for a different tank?

 

[stykthyn]

if you want a shark think 400+ gallons, nothing else will simply do. If you have the space you can make a pond in the range of 1000 gallons for the price of a 2-400 tank. just takes a little more work.

 

[NaClH20NMYVEIN]

I agree with the above statement 100%. I have a pair of epaulettes in a 300g and they are currently only 25-26 inches and they already seem cramped. It is amazing how fast they can move. If they get spooked on one side of the tank they can kick once and be crashing into the other end of the tank before you can even get your hands out of the water. I'm upgrading to a 600 and even think that is too small. JMO Most people agree with the "rule" of no large angels, no triggers, and no butterflies. As with everything someone out there will get past the rule and be safe, but I would stick with tangs groupers, clowns, and other larger non agressive fishes.

 

[johno4]

Evolust, why no butterflies. I have not heard that before. I would assmume most butterflies would be ok because they are peaceful to other species. Is there something Im missing? Fill me in please.

thanks,
john

 

[mitzel]

Some butterflys will pick at the eyes of sharks and rays .

I have triggers now and I wouldn't try to keep a shark with them . the humu is small maybe 2.5 - 3 inches the bursa is about 4 inches ans the niger is about 4 inches . and they are already some tuff customers to deal with . the bursa and humu (a.k.a Picaso) both will nip at me when I'm working in the tank .

 

[John@JP]

I am really not that worried about it, If i have a problem with one or two fish. My fiancee will have to let me set up another tank.

 

[John@JP]

Plus they are all really small right now. I am working on building a shark pond.

 

[jjcrim]

Sweet... a shark in a 45 gallon tank along with 5 others (4 of which are too big by themselves). Nice work.

 

[stykthyn]

I have a black tip in my bathtub for anyone that cares

 

[John@JP]

well they are all happy and healthy, eating fine and I have had no problems with disease. So I would appreciate a little less negativity.

 

[stykthyn]

bet you a $100 that all changes
yes I do take check and you can make it payable to Clay Smith

 

[John@JP]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7174612#post7174612 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by stykthyn
bet you a $100 that all changes
yes I do take check and you can make it payable to Clay Smith

Why is that? I have been playing this game for quite some time (12 yrs) with absolutly no bad experiences except for a tank that blew its seal.