My mom wants me to keep a shark

  • Get the NEW AquariaCentral iOS app --> http://itunes.apple.com/app/id1227181058 // Android version will be out soon!

Should I buy a shark when Im older? like 15?

  • Sure, try it.

    Votes: 2 3.7%
  • no, you'll end up killing the shark

    Votes: 43 79.6%
  • Do it when you're 20

    Votes: 8 14.8%
  • I'll help you.

    Votes: 1 1.9%

  • Total voters
    54

MudskipperFan

AC Members
Aug 5, 2008
624
0
16
no
Real Name
nah
They actually sell them at my LFS for 30-60 bucks, which is pretty cheap. And the sharks are collected from LA. Ive had experience with a california fish tank before (inverts from the coast of CA) but how can I take care of a shark?
I know it will need a 200+ gallon tank, but I was wondering if I could keep it in a pre-formed pond in my indoor patio?
Please answer soon.:)
 

SchizotypalVamp

The REAL AC Mafia
Mar 18, 2008
2,943
0
0
California
Sharks are for very advanced saltwater specialists. Please read this:

http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=28549

There are 2 sharks that can live, and be somewhat comfortable in a 150gal. tank. They are the Banded Cat Shark and Marbled Cat Shark. They grow to an average of 40"Very cute, and active as babies, but here are 2 things that the fish store doesnt tell you.

In captivity, 50% to 75% of them die within the first month by starving themselves to death. It's not the owners fault, it's just that naturally, they dont know to start eating. And IF they do eventually eat, it's already too late for them to survive. This happens frequently in the wild as well. They are just incredibly hard to get to eat. Frequently, even force feeding doesnt work (trust me, I've tried). I had my newly hatched Banded Cat Shark for 4 weeks before he died from starvation. My fish store actually told me that it would be hard to get him eating, but I thought..."ahhh, it cant be that hard. He'll eat when he gets hungry.".

The second thing is light. Most fish keepers have decent lighting (florescent) to superb lighting (metal halides, etc.). Sharks require VERY low light. Even florescent is too much for them, that's why they're mainly active at night. What's the fun in keeping a large fish tank that has to have extraordinarily low light?

Other than those 2 species, there are NO other sharks that you can keep in anything less that a 1000gal. to 10,000gal. tank. Alot of people get Horn Sharks...these grow to 6 feet. Blacktip Reef Sharks and Whitetip Reef Sharks, although absolutely gorgeous, can grow to 7+ feet.
 

Andrew225

A little bit of everything
Jun 26, 2007
166
0
0
Colorado
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
NONONONONO
no..no...no

You need a pro, and crap loads of luck ,to get sharks to work.

-However-

That's saltwater.
Freshwater 'sharks', Such as the rainbow (My personal favorite), red tail, Columbian and Bala shark are -much- more manageable. IF you want a shark, go that way mate.
 

Rbishop

Administrator
Staff member
Dec 30, 2005
40,727
452
143
70
Real Name
Mr. Normal
Nope. First you need to give that mollie you have more water space than two quarts.
 

dpenguinfish

Pwnd by a goldfish. GOLDFISH FTW!!!
Jul 24, 2007
349
0
0
orlando FLorida
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
NONONONONO
no..no...no

You need a pro, and crap loads of luck ,to get sharks to work.

-However-

That's saltwater.
Freshwater 'sharks', Such as the rainbow (My personal favorite), red tail, Columbian and Bala shark are -much- more manageable. IF you want a shark, go that way mate.
ya u should start with fresh water sharks
 

cam191919

AC Members
Apr 8, 2008
3,062
1
38
30
Tallahassee FL
Nope. First you need to give that mollie you have more water space than two quarts.
hmmm........................

freshwater "sharks" would definatly be easier, probably because ther not the sharks that keep old ladies out of the ocean. whatever the case, dont get a saltwater shark
 

groovitudedude

Teen Runner
Feb 22, 2008
242
0
0
31
Do NOT get a sw real shark. if you want a big fw shark, you can get some bala sharks or maybe an aggressive cichlid or puffer. Sharks are for the advanced experienced saltwater aquarist. Tell your mom the real requirements for these monsters.
 

mandy21

THE REEFER GODDESS
May 16, 2006
983
0
0
41
Ohio
Absolutely not, for all the reasons listed above.
 
zoomed.com
hikariusa.com
aqaimports.com
Store