Here is a question that I believe no one can answer correctly! Why do sharks never eat the other fish in the tanks they are kept in at display tanks? I'm refering to such tanks that are displayed in many seaside resorts around the country? It can't be that they are fed regularly, because the sharks would then have to distinguish between what's fed to them and live prey. Also, they would have to realise that they must stave their hunger until someone comes along to feed them. Try as you might, this one gonna stump even the best of you. harold Walters.
2006-11-01 12:17:20 · 4 answers · asked by haroldwalters 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Zoology
The sharks may avoid these fish because their ancestors learned that those fish species are poisonous or just taste awful. Predators don't eat everything, just certain species. Take birds and butterflies. There are certain butterflies that have distinct patterns that birds recognize and the birds leave them alone because they are poisonous. Other butterfly species have similar patterns because they will get left alone if they look poisonous. The shark probably looks at the fish swimming in the tank and goes "I'm not eating that, you can't make me" and they wait for feeding time.
2006-11-01 12:25:21 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
They don't put typical prey in with the shark. Much like you wouldn't put mice in a cage with a cat, instead you would put something like a hedgehog that can defend itself and the cat wouldn't think of as a good prey item.
Also, they are fed which does help to curb their appetite so they don't get desperate and start experimenting on their tankmates. I imagine that some of the fish do get picked off once in awhile...
2006-11-01 17:35:08 · answer #2 · answered by Shaun 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'll have ago. When a shark is hunting it uses it's radar that is allocated on it's'"nose".Being confined in a tank confuses the shark as it rebounds back as empty or to much. Thus moving around they don't know what to attack. Food are placed in front of the mouth so they can smell the food. Hope I'm right or close!
2006-11-01 12:49:01 · answer #3 · answered by rooilugo 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
How about the Aquarists place species in the tank that aren't the normal prey items of the sharks ie larger fish, fast swimming or bad tasting fish etc.,
2006-11-01 12:22:12 · answer #4 · answered by gnypetoscincus 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋