are there any places where you can buy a shark for an aquarium?...or anyone know what type of shark that doesnt get real big for an aquarium
2006-08-26 14:53:28 · 11 answers · asked by your_ma_was_here 1 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
I love sharks, too! Okay, now the bad news. Forget about most of the pelagic (free swimming) sharks because they grow to 7-10 feet long and require aquariums of about 8,000 gallons minimum. Unless you have a really big house and a lot of money, a "sharky" looking shark is not a possibility.
Now, there are some benthic (bottom dwelling) sharks species that live on the bottom of the ocean and in reef nooks. An example would be the banded cat shark which is commonly available in the aquarium trade as small juveniles and even as egg cases that hatch. Another good aquarium specimen is the epaulette shark though this one is more expensive. A local aquarium store can probably order one for you or you can purchase them on the Net such as at www.liveaquaria.com.
Please, please make sure you can provide a good home for one before you buy it! They grow to 3 feet long which means that a 180 gallon tank for one full grown specimen is a minimum requirement. Do you have space for a tank that size? Can your floor hold that kind of weight? Have you had saltwater fish before? Sharks are very sensitive to water quality and are not for beginners. They need excellent filtration and a good quality protein skimmer. Many may only accept live food to begin with until you can wean them onto pieces of fresh raw seafood. Generally, you cannot keep other fish with them because other fish tend to pick at them causing injury. These sharks, as I mentioned previously, are bottom dwelling, not very active, and spend much of their time sitting on the bottom of the tank. The banded cat shark and epaulette shark are really the only shark species readily available that have a chance of doing well in a home aquarium. These sharks are often not most people's idea of a shark.
Please don't think you can buy a baby shark and give it to a zoo or public aquarium when it gets too big! Most of these places don't have room for any more of these animals. Please research this carefully and make sure you can provide a lifetime home for one of these fascinating creatures before you buy.
Check out www.wetwebmedia.com to start your research on sharks in the home aquarium.
2006-08-26 15:23:11 · answer #1 · answered by Rags to Riches 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You can get freshwater "sharks" for your aquarium. They are not REALLY sharks, but they look like sharks. You can get bala sharks, red tailed sharks, rainbow sharks, etc. Some grow to be really big, so you'll need a big aquarium, but there are some little ones too. True sharks are salwater creatures, and they cant be kept in an aquarium, because they are too big and will die. Saria (who answered above) is completely right.
If you are interested in some badass agressive fish, you can try ciclids, pacus, or oscars. They are pretty cool. Just do a lot of research BEFORE buying the fish, so you know a lot about them before you buy them and accidentally kill them. Pirahnas are legal in some states, so you could try those too.
2006-08-26 22:11:07 · answer #2 · answered by Laurie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most sharks require a tank ranging in size from 6 X 4 feet to one the size of a swimming pool. Even the relatively smaller catsharks (Chiliscyllium spp.) which are 3.25 feet to about 8 feet long, require a 12 X 6 foot tank; I am basing these sizes on first-hand observations of several shark species in captivity.
"But," you may say, "it's a small shark." Yes, it will be small at first. But, as with all living things, they grow. "But it will only grow to the size of it's tank, right? No, it won't. Some fishes, notably salmonids, can be stunted for a period of time by the size of their tank. Sharks aren't like that. They'll keep growing until their environment becomes so unsuitable that it dies.
Bottom line:
Don't get a shark.
2006-08-26 21:58:53 · answer #3 · answered by Someone 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My boyfriend has a Bala shark and Red Tail shark we bought them at Petsmart. They get about 14 inches in length ....they are really easy to care for but they can jump out of the tank as they get bigger.
2006-08-26 23:45:58 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are fresh-water sharks for aquariums. I once had a "red-tailed shark" that I bought at a pet store. It was black with a red tail. Check it out at http://www.aquahobby.com/gallery/e_bicolor.php
2006-08-26 22:04:29 · answer #5 · answered by Frosty 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know-I know at pet stores they sell nurse sharks and tanks for them.I know I may sound like a fool when I say this but I would love to have a huge 10 ft deep 20 ft long pool with a pet shark in it.That would be awesome!
2006-08-26 22:01:41 · answer #6 · answered by charmed_ones_lover 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I work at petsmart and I know they sell sharks for aquariums but thats really all i know.
2006-08-26 21:57:12 · answer #7 · answered by perinelda 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
baby sharks
2006-08-26 21:59:55 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i don't know any place but i know where you can fish some
it is really easy!
you can fish at Indian Ocean or the Pacific Ocean and definitely the Southern Ocean!
those are the best places i know!
2006-08-26 22:01:33 · answer #9 · answered by sean 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i would try petsmart or petco. Ask them they might have more info for you.
2006-08-26 22:11:08 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋