General description
Sharks are some of the most majestic and most dangerous species of saltwater fish kept in the aquarium hobby. They are only recommended for advanced hobbyists. Most species of shark grow far too large to be kept in a home aquarium, and even the smaller species that are often kept in aquariums need to be housed in extremely large tanks. Sharks are characterized by their long, powerful bodies, cartilaginous skeletons and vertical gill-slits located on the sides of the head.
Sharks are some of the most majestic and most dangerous species of saltwater fish kept in the aquarium hobby.
Origins
Saltwater sharks are found in oceans across the world.
Color
Most aquarium varieties of sharks are dully colored in shades of tan, yellow, brown and grey. Their bodies are often market with various spots and bands.
Maintenance and care
The most important thing to remember when attempting to raise saltwater sharks is that they need extremely large aquariums of 200 gallons or more. The aquariums should also ideally be circular or hexagonal in shape as sharp corners can often restrict the shark’s swimming movements. Shallower aquariums with large surface areas are also preferred.
When decorating the saltwater shark aquarium it is important to leave as much open swimming space as possible. It is however advisable to include a few hiding places into which the shark can retreat into.
Water quality and stability are two important factors when raising sharks in the home aquarium. A very high quality filtration system and protein skimmer is an absolute must. It is also recommended that large water changes be carried out weekly.
Sharks are highly predatory and should not be housed with any other species of fish. Several sharks can be kept together in the same aquarium provided that they are housed in a sufficiently large tank. Sharks can also be kept with some species of rays.
The most important thing to remember when attempting to raise saltwater sharks is that they need extremely large aquariums of 200 gallons or more.
Feeding
Saltwater sharks should be fed on a meaty diet of fresh marine fish, shrimp and scallops. They should not be fed more than 2-3 times per week.
Breeding
It is possible to breed sharks in an aquarium environment, but this requires an aquarium that is large enough to house several sharks while maintaining perfect water parameters. This can be hard to achieve in the home aquarium.
Aquarium varieties
Bamboo Sharks, Cat Sharks and Epaulette Sharks.
Photo credit: Steve Childs/Flickr; Hans Hillewaert/Wikimedia
