Sharks in the aquarium: types, features of maintenance and care

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

Swift and frightening, sharks excite the imagination of every inhabitant of the planet. The graceful movement in the water and the danger posed by this ancient predator have made sharks the heroes of scary stories and horror films.

But how difficult is it to keep a shark in an aquarium, and will a novice aquarist be able to care for such an exotic pet? Everything is not as difficult as it seems. The main thing is to provide an aquarium of the right size and find fearless neighbors for the shark.

Let's try to find out what types of sharks can be kept in a home aquarium and what is needed for this.

Black Shark

This relatively peaceful fish only looks like predatory sharks. Under good conditions, it can grow up to 50 cm and has a very good appetite. These fish have an elongated streamlined body, and the upper jaw is noticeably longer than the lower one. Blackssharks have a complex character - they can bully neighbors, and when hungry, even arrange a hunt.

Despite their name, sharks with a red tail are found in addition to deep black sharks.

By the intensity of the color, you can judge how well the shark feels and whether it has enough food. When malnourished, the color of the shark fish in the aquarium becomes pale, and the movements become more sluggish.

Pygmy shark

These small fast-moving fish are popular with aquarists around the world. They are native to the warm waters of the Indian Ocean. They tolerate life well in captivity, under good conditions they can grow up to 25 cm.

Pygmy sharks, like their large wild relatives, are viviparous fish. Breeding small sharks in an aquarium is difficult. But with luck, the female can bring about a dozen small fish 5-6 cm long.

These sharks have an unusual feature: the underbelly and fins can glow in the dark. Special organs are responsible for this - photophores located on the body, pectoral and ventral fins. There is a hypothesis that the fish begins to glow at times of stress or in a state of excitement. Bright greenish lights flash with every movement of the pygmy shark and fade when it calms down.

Shark catfish

The largest representative of freshwater sharks in the aquarium can be considered pangasius, one of the species of shark catfish. These fish outwardly very much resemble a shark and are distinguished by impetuous,sharp movements.

In an aquarium, pangasius can grow up to 30 cm. These are schooling fish. Therefore, if the size of the tank allows, you can keep a flock of 5-6 individuals. They are peaceful and almost omnivorous fish. Decorate a large species aquarium.

However, shark catfish have an unpleasant feature: they are very shy. Sudden movements or loud noises can throw the fish off balance. She will start to rush about and beat against the walls of the aquarium, injuring herself. Sometimes fish can freeze without moving for a few minutes, then come to their senses and continue to search for food at the bottom.

Asian cat sharks

Keeping even one of these decorative sharks in an aquarium will require a tank of 1000-1500 liters. These fish are capricious, they prefer clean warm water with a high content of iodine. You will have to monitor the levels of nitrates and ammonia in the tank very carefully, bad water can seriously damage these fish.

The origin of catsharks is very thermophilic. Even a slight drop in temperature can damage them.

The most popular among aquarists are three types of cat sharks:

• striped bamboo;
• epaulette decorative;
• spotted bamboo shark.

The last species of cat shark is considered the smallest, they rarely grow more than 80 cm. But the striped bamboo shark, with good care, may well grow more than a meter long.

These fish prefer to hide in shelters during the day and go huntingwith the onset of darkness. But they are not picky in their diet, they are happy to eat mollusks and bony fish.

Horned sharks

An unusual horned shark will be a good neighbor for cat sharks. These fish have convex rounded crests above the eyes, resembling horns. When starting such a fish, care should be taken when caring for the ground: in front of each dorsal fin it has a sharp spike.

In the right size tank, horned sharks grow fast. In a couple of years they can reach a meter length. They prefer cold, 13-18 degrees, running water and plenty of hiding places on the bottom. Although these sharks are considered peaceful, sticking your hands into aquariums or trying to feed them from your hands is not worth it - the sharp teeth of this fish easily bite through a hard sea urchin.

Reef sharks

In captivity, two subspecies of these sharks can live, both of an even gray color, only the color of the end of the fins and tail differs: black or white. Dark spots are visible on the sides on a gray background.

These sharks in the aquarium are very mobile and are in constant motion. Like their wild relatives, reef sharks can make rapid throws to the sides or briefly freeze at the bottom. In the aquarium where they are kept, there should be no decorations, ornamental plants are acceptable and a soft sandy bottom is required.

Because of their impressive size - fish grow up to one and a half meters - they will need an aquarium with a volume of at least 3000 liters. Desirablering, in which the shark can swim without turning around.

In the wild, they hunt brightly colored reef fish. In a home aquarium, they will be happy to eat marine clams and pre-thawed fish. When feeding reef sharks, keep in mind that they only grab what they see, and do not pick up leftover food from the bottom. If the shark does not have time to grab a sinking piece, it may remain hungry.

Suitable aquarium

Before you decide to get a shark, you should weigh your strengths and capabilities well. Of course, we are not talking about a predatory great white shark in an aquarium. Such individuals can only be kept in aquariums, and then in a separate tank, without neighbors.

Most species of ornamental sharks are not caught in the depths of the ocean, but are specially grown on farms in Thailand. However, they remain predators and can only be settled with fish of the right size that can fight back.

Sharks breathe when they move. Therefore, the aquarium for them should be spacious, with the ability to easily turn around, otherwise the fish will experience oxygen starvation and it may die. You need to immediately choose a tank without sharp corners, preferably an annular aquarium or with rounded walls.

About the volume: the sharks in the aquarium are among the centenarians, and all these years will grow. So that the fish does not outgrow its home, you need to immediately choose a place for a large aquarium. For example, a pair of pygmy sharks growing up to 50 cm would need an aquarium with a volume of at least 800 liters.

Contentand feeding

Aquarium sharks love warm water, at least 28 degrees. You will need a good filtration system, preferably with chemical filters. A constant supply of oxygen is very important, so you should immediately install additional aeration.

When designing a pond for sharks, it is better to abandon the scenery so that the fish have room to swim. Or, if you want to create a unique interior for your pets, choose decor without sharp corners so that the fish do not get hurt. Sharks love to rest on the soft sand. But the sandy bottom is difficult to care for, food remains accumulate in it, so a layer of rolled small pebbles should be placed under the sand layer.

Feeding the shark will not be a problem, these predators are able to eat everything they see. You can feed thawed squid, shrimp, lean fish fillets, such as cod. Just do not give fresh fish, so you can bring parasites. By the way, they will not refuse minced beef or offal either.