Silver-Tip Sharks

O

Odinfa

AC Members
Jul 2, 2006
6
0
0
Hi All,

I have 3 Silver-tip sharks, All 2"-3". Long story, short, I didn't know they were brackish water fish and wasn't told they would get 12"-24". I did some research, I know should have done this first. I didn't know they exsisted until I saw them. I bought 1 at first the found out they are a shoaling fish so bought 2 more. I know shouldn't have done that, but I absolutely love my first Silver-Tip (Jewel )She is more like a pet dog then fish, I put my hand in the water to remove some excess food and she swims right over to me then slides along my hand. She likes me to stroke her belly,lol. So has you can tell there is NO WAY I"M GIVING HER UP !!
So I need more information to make sure she(they) live(s) a long & happy life.

Stats First:

20H Freshwater Tank
3 Silver-Tip Sharks - Arius seemanni
3 X-ray Tetras - Pristella Tetra
1 plecostomus

I tested the water today B4 a 25% change here are the stats on the water:

PH 6.6
Ammonia 0.25
Nitrite 2.0
Nitrate 7.0

I did my water change and added Cycle by Nutrafin to help it.

Ok, I've read I need anywhere from a 55 gal. to 120 gal. tank to keep them in. Eventually they will be living in a custom tank (A full wall!!) .

I need to know from experienced people on average;
How quickly do they grow ?
About what size/age do they show signs of needing brackish water? I know it's not an exact science, just an estimate would help.
What size tank should I get to house them ? Estimate on finished Cycled tank up to 18 months.

And any other information you feel I should know.

Sorry it's so long winded, Thank you for sharing your knowledge !
 
IMO 55G might be ok for one single shark, A good rule of thumb is that the width should be more than the fishes lenth. A 100G+ would be the min for a few of em.

The sooner the better for a tank upgrade, also these fish are saltwater when they reach adulthood, that means at least 1.018 SG. Those X-rays are going to be food soon as well.
 
Hi Perek,

I know about the x-rays have a smaller tank already cycling for them should be a couple more weeks. I was thinking a 150 gal, A friend builds custom tanks, so I figured a nice long & wide tank would be nice.

Do you by chance know about what sizes they are able to breed?
I don't want babies,lol,I know they are hard to breed, but with my luck they would.

I know they will grow to be saltwater fish, I thank you for the 1.018 SG., I didn't know what they needed. I've never had a saltwater tank. I've been reading up on it, but it just doesn't take the place of knowledgable people who are able/willing to help.

There isn't much information on silver-tips other then general run-of-the-mill info. I was hoping someone who was/has sucessfully raised them would be able to answer my questions.

Thank you very much for you time & information
 
Odinfa said:
Hi Perek,

I know about the x-rays have a smaller tank already cycling for them should be a couple more weeks. I was thinking a 150 gal, A friend builds custom tanks, so I figured a nice long & wide tank would be nice.

Do you by chance know about what sizes they are able to breed?
I don't want babies,lol,I know they are hard to breed, but with my luck they would.

I know they will grow to be saltwater fish, I thank you for the 1.018 SG., I didn't know what they needed. I've never had a saltwater tank. I've been reading up on it, but it just doesn't take the place of knowledgable people who are able/willing to help.

There isn't much information on silver-tips other then general run-of-the-mill info. I was hoping someone who was/has sucessfully raised them would be able to answer my questions.

Thank you very much for you time & information
Click to expand...
That sounds excellent, there are very few people that properly house these little monsters!

Also I would look into getting a Sump tank for filtration, these are the best way to complete the bio cycle. My lfs guy swears on Miracle Mud and Caulerpa, he rarely, if ever needs to change the water since caulerpa filter all the bio-waste from the water and Miracle Mud contains essential minerals for a flourishing tank.
 
Odinfa said:
Hi All,

I have 3 Silver-tip sharks, All 2"-3". Long story, short, I didn't know they were brackish water fish and wasn't told they would get 12"-24". I did some research, I know should have done this first. I didn't know they exsisted until I saw them. I bought 1 at first the found out they are a shoaling fish so bought 2 more. I know shouldn't have done that, but I absolutely love my first Silver-Tip (Jewel )She is more like a pet dog then fish, I put my hand in the water to remove some excess food and she swims right over to me then slides along my hand. She likes me to stroke her belly,lol. So has you can tell there is NO WAY I"M GIVING HER UP !!
So I need more information to make sure she(they) live(s) a long & happy life.

Stats First:

20H Freshwater Tank
3 Silver-Tip Sharks - Arius seemanni
3 X-ray Tetras - Pristella Tetra
1 plecostomus

I tested the water today B4 a 25% change here are the stats on the water:

PH 6.6
Ammonia 0.25
Nitrite 2.0
Nitrate 7.0

I did my water change and added Cycle by Nutrafin to help it.

Ok, I've read I need anywhere from a 55 gal. to 120 gal. tank to keep them in. Eventually they will be living in a custom tank (A full wall!!) .

I need to know from experienced people on average;
How quickly do they grow ?
About what size/age do they show signs of needing brackish water? I know it's not an exact science, just an estimate would help.
What size tank should I get to house them ? Estimate on finished Cycled tank up to 18 months.

And any other information you feel I should know.

Sorry it's so long winded, Thank you for sharing your knowledge !
Click to expand...

What were your readings after the water change? That 2.0 on nitrites scares the %$# out of me. Has this tank been up and operating long? How was it cycled?

"Cycle" by Nutra Fin is snake oil in many peoples opinions and causes nothing but trouble in the long run. If you tank is established, you should only need an appropriate dechlor.
 
I don't know much about them, but I had purchased 2 black tips...which if I understand correctly is the same thing ( I was also told they would be fine in a 30g & to just add aquarium salt to the tank). Anyway I am just chimming in to tell you I only had mine about a month before they past, from lack of real brackish conditions..in fact is was because of them I found this site (in hopes of saving them) I was to late, my advice to you if you want to keep them is start the salinity process now, but remember to take it slowly about .002 weekly I beleive if I remember correctly..someone will most likely let you know if I'm wrong about that.

Yes getting a bigger tank is important but IMO right now they are small enough to be OKAY in that tank for a small amount of time upgrading to at least a 55 ASAP would be best and keep upgrading as you can. I have 3 bala's I have been doing this with (purchased with the black tips..also was told would be fine in the 30 along w/ the black tip), OH YEAH they saw SUCKER with me. Anyway my bala's are doing great growing fine and very healthy. Be sure to keep up with water changes and watch them for any changes.

BTW I don't think you need to worry about breeding..I could be wrong but it seems that was one that has NO recording of EVER breeding in an aquarium.

Good luck!!
 
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I also wanted to add, try looking up "columbian" shark...you may find more info. on them that way.
 
Sark

gstoffer said:
I also wanted to add, try looking up "columbian" shark...you may find more info. on them that way.
Click to expand...

I actually have my black tip in a 75 gallon. I bought him about a year ago and was about a 1 1/2 now he is easily of 5". I keep the salinty around 1.016 and tends to hanlde fluc very well. I have my tank on a canister system. Can't say enough about those.
 
Ok, so the black tip/silver tip are not the same? Glad to hear yours is doing so well, wish mine would of made it..they are sooooo cool to watch, hoping someday to get some again!

Good luck with everything, BTW what did you find out about the sivertips?

Gin
 
those fish need homies!

they are very social, probably why she comes to say hello.

i made the mistake of only buying one, and he/she schools with all my other fish when it can.

mine got big real quick, it was tiny, like less than an inch when i got it, now its like 8-9 inches after about 16 months. also the older they get, the more the need a SG closer to fullmarine, eventually requiring it to remaine healthy.
MySG is usually between 1.016 and 1.019.

i'm currently trying to find my lil homie a real nice home, (1000gal+ marine)dont think i could afford a tank much bigger than 100gal. so my options are to find him a new home, or buy one of those 500gal swimming pools and convert it into a marine tidal pool in my back yard. cost wise, im strapped.

think is you need a huge tank to house more than 1 2 foot fish, not something your gonna find in a typical middle class home....
 
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