FishProfiles.com Message Forums |
faq | etiquette | register | my account | search | mailbox |
![]() | Adopting a Shark |
JellyfishPJs![]() Small Fry Posts: 14 Kudos: 14 Votes: 1 Registered: 22-Feb-2005 ![]() | Last night I was over at my boyfriends house and one of his long-time friends came over. After a few beers Bo, the friend, began lamenting his up and coming departure to Iraq. He was not particulalry upset about going, but more so about what he'd be leaving. Bo lives alone in his own condo and keeps a wide variety of pets for company. Lizards, snakes, tarantulas, two fish tanks, and a couple of birds. Apparently he has found homes or foster-care for all of his animals save one. Yeah, you guessed it... the shark. Having hatched said shark from an egg and hand feeding it, Bo is very protective. His parents dislike fish and dont want the tank at their house - none of his friends have experience with aquariums. After talking about it for a while he went upstairs to get something. He came flying back down instantly to all but beg my boyfriend to set the tank up in his room -- he'd seen my 30g aquarium. I gave credit to John for thinking very seriously about doing it as a favor to his friend, but eventually Bo was told that the tank was mine. He asked if I had ever kept a salt-water tank. Yes. Do you like sharks!? Yes. Would you.. I mean.. could you.. possibly.. uh.. you know ... I have never seen a Marine cry, and Bo was pretty dang close to it. I dont think I'd like to see it anytime soon, and probably wont; I agreed to shark sit. Now, here is my problem. I have never kept a shark before. Currently the shark is in a 55 gallon tank. Before everyone gets riled up and spitting mad -- let me clarify. Bo is quite well off finantially. He had every intention of buying his beloved shark a tank that was custom built into his condo's wall. Before that happend, he is told he will be shipped out and quite possibly gone a very long time. So... I will soon (in a few days) have a 55 gallon tank in my front room, shark and all. I am allowed to use all of his equipment and will be keeping as much of the water as is possible to transpot. (Note to Self: go get more buckets) I would have no problem buying the shark a much larger tank, say 200 gallons, once it is established and I am sure it will live. Again, let me say that: I will buy the shark a larger tank once it is established and doing well. No need to freak out on me, because that's not ever helpful and whether anyone likes it or not, the shark is already in a 55g so its not like he is downsizing. So, after all of that, here come the questions: -Are there any special requirements for these fish? -Do they need above average water displacment and circulation? -Is the temprature 76-80 accurate? -How often should I feed him? -What is the best food? (He eats shrimp, crabs, and the occassional fish) -What would be the reccomended way to transport the shark? (In my expierence, a large tub with a lid is highly effective and would, in this case, also give the shark a dark place to move around in for the 45min drive) -If everything is the same, water, equipment, tank size, temprature: can I put the shark immediatly into the tank? Please understand that I am doing a lot of research and will have Bo to help me for the next few weeks -- but I would also like to gain expierience through the people of this site. You guys have been very helpful in the past. -Jellyfish |
![]() | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
JellyfishPJs![]() Small Fry Posts: 14 Kudos: 14 Votes: 1 Registered: 22-Feb-2005 ![]() | Everyone will be pleased to find out the baby shark will have a 175 gallon tank to move into in a few weeks. I found one for $200 and jumped on the chance. As far as I have been able to find, the optimal would be 200-180 gallons. So 175 should be just fine. ![]() |
![]() | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Patchy![]() Enthusiast Posts: 224 Kudos: 195 Votes: 0 Registered: 25-Sep-2005 | Nice sandy substrate is a must. like most predators they need a variety of foods/ prepare foods for it and freeze them. i feed my predators live damsels every now and then for treats. When i had to help a friend move his bamboo shark we got a bag that when filled would cover a whole styro foam box so it would keep good shape and better for holding weight evenly. even with like this you should use as many people as possible to carry the box it will be very heavily and break if not handled properly. other than that im pretty clueless as i havent kept them |
![]() | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() | |
Jump to: |
The views expressed on this page are the implied opinions of their respective authors.
Under no circumstances do the comments on this page represent the opinions of the staff of FishProfiles.com.
FishProfiles.com Forums, version 11.0
Mazeguy Smilies