View Full Version : Surprise at LFS
Almondsaz
07-20-2007, 11:03 PM
I went to my LFS this morining and they had a shark egg case. When I asked do you keep them and hatch them, he said that once they come in people buy them up quickly so he has never gotten to see one hatch. I didn't realize there are soooo many large aquariums to properly house a shark out there.
Do you LFS carry shark egg cases as well?
Grins
07-20-2007, 11:52 PM
I've heard of it and it has always suprised me too.
-LeG[A]cY-
07-21-2007, 12:16 AM
lol the first time I went to my LFS I was happy to find they had sea horses. I'm sure shark eggs would be quite a surprise.
Its funny you mention that cos I was at my LFS a couple of weeks backs and I noticed that they had two eggs sitting in a tank with a sign saying "shark eggs" on there. I didn't think much of it then (cos I didn't think it would be possible) and figured it was just some sort of joke.
Well ... I was in the store again this past week, and guess what ... one of then had hatched!! The store now had a sign on the tank saying "Ita a Girl!!" with balloons and stuff!! haha!!
My LFS sometimes have shark eggs (or 'mermaid's purse', i think) and they don't stay there long- but it's incredible seeing the little guy inside wriggling around!
-Ben
jojo22
07-21-2007, 9:47 AM
My LFS will order them, but they only have about a 40% hatch/survival rate.
Tikidude
07-21-2007, 9:50 AM
I would imagine that they aren't cheap and most people don't have a tank large enough to house a shark. How fast does a shark grow and if it lives long enough to grow, who you going to give it to when it outgrows your tank?
jojo22
07-21-2007, 9:53 AM
Most end up donated to local zoos/aquariums.
Almondsaz
07-21-2007, 9:54 AM
Its funny you mention that cos I was at my LFS a couple of weeks backs and I noticed that they had two eggs sitting in a tank with a sign saying "shark eggs" on there. I didn't think much of it then (cos I didn't think it would be possible) and figured it was just some sort of joke.
Well ... I was in the store again this past week, and guess what ... one of then had hatched!! The store now had a sign on the tank saying "Ita a Girl!!" with balloons and stuff!! haha!!
Do you know what kind of shark it was? I thought that most were live bearing except for the sand shark and smaller reef sharks.
Almondsaz
07-21-2007, 9:56 AM
My LFS sometimes have shark eggs (or 'mermaid's purse', i think) and they don't stay there long- but it's incredible seeing the little guy inside wriggling around!
-Ben
Ben: thank you. I couldn't remember that it was mermaids purse...I kept thinking ladys purse but it didn't seem right. Well it wasn't.
I just wonder how fast they grow and how quickly they wipe out someones tank that took one home.
Do you know what kind of shark it was? I thought that most were live bearing except for the sand shark and smaller reef sharks.
It was a black banded cat shark.
Got this from LiveAquaria ...
The Shark Egg is hardy. Due to its availability, and combined with the relatively low cost, the Black Banded Cat Shark is the most common shark kept in an aquarium. It normally has a cream-colored body with broad, dark brown stripes and the adult reaches a length of 3-5 feet.
As an adult, it requires at least a 180 gallon or larger aquarium. It requires sand as the substrate in the aquarium, as the abdomen is easily scratched by a coarser substrate, thus causing infection. It should never be exposed to copper-based medications. It will eat any crustacean in the aquarium.
The hatching time of the egg will be anywhere from 1 to 6 weeks depending on the stage of development and the environmental conditions in the aquarium. When hatched, offer small pieces of cleaned squid or live saltwater feeder shrimp in order to entice this fish to eat. Then it may be fed shrimp, scallops or pieces of fresh marine fish.
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_Display.cfm?pCatId=294
Grins
07-21-2007, 11:33 AM
180g seems way too small for a 3-5' shark
180g seems way too small for a 3-5' shark
Totally agree with you on that one ... very often, the minimum tank requirements for livestock on such websites is way leaves much to be desired!
Nick540
07-21-2007, 1:53 PM
I know ice-t has a tank with multiple sharks, it is amazing, no coral or anything else but there were about 5 sharks in it. Not sure the size either.
Very interesting that they are selling the eggs at pet stores.
Almondsaz
07-21-2007, 4:09 PM
Just for the info.....they are selling for $45.
They sell blue ring octopuses for cheap but I'm not get one of those either.
Tikidude
07-21-2007, 9:59 PM
Isn't the bluering octo the one that is so poisonous?
Grins
07-21-2007, 10:25 PM
Yep