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FAQs about Shark Compatibility
Related Articles: Sharks for Aquariums?, Sharks
In My Living Room?, Blacktip Reef Shark,
Nurse Sharks, Cartilaginous
Fishes, Coldwater Sharks, Leopard Sharks,
Port Jackson Sharks,
Moving
Sharks,
Related FAQs: Shark
Behavior, Sharks 1,
Sharks 2, Shark
Identification, Selection,
Systems for Sharks, Feeding, Diseases,
Shark, Ray Eggs, Coldwater
Sharks, Leopard Sharks,
Heterodontus,
Blacktip
Reef Sharks, Nurse Sharks,
Remoras, Moving
Sharks,
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Sharks... comp., not 5/13/07
If given enough space to house a fully grown Nurse shark and Horn shark,
<... not compatible... the first is tropical, the second sub-tropical... the
Ginglymostomatid would consume the Heterodontid in time...>
would this be an okay mix or would there still be a bit of a risk? A good
detailed response is preferred, am entertaining the idea of this tank someday.
Thank you!
<Keep studying along with the dreaming. Bob Fenner>
Brown Banded Shark Questions... sys., fdg., comp.
- 02/21/07
Hello to the crew at WWM.
<Steve>
I recently stumbled across your web site, while researching Bamboo
Sharks. I have since been hooked on the endless amounts of information
posted. I've been reading for 3 weeks and learned as much as I could
before purchasing my first Bamboo Shark. The shark is now housed in a
custom 465 gallon tank, built by my brother and I.(9'x4'x25")
<Nice!>
The tank has very little rock work optimize swimming room) with a 2
1/2" sand bed premium grade play sand). The water flow and filtration
consists of a 100 gallon sump. The sump is fed by three 1" bulk head
fittings,
<Am surprised at this... seems like too small a diameter>
and water is returned through two 1" bulk head fittings via 1800 gph mag
drive. I have two, 5 gallon, spring water bottles filled with bio-balls
and filter padding, protein skimmer, XP3 canister filter, and 2" of
crushed coral all in the sump. I have attached photos and hope they are
sized properly. I hope this set up is sufficient, any suggestions would
be appreciated.
<I see your images>
The shark's tank mates consist of 1 Niger
Trigger extremely
passive),
<Keep your eye on...>
1 Pygmy Yellow Angel, Volitans Lionfish,1 Coral Catfish, 1 large
Strawberry Hermit Crab,
<These last two could be trouble if ingested>
1 Snowflake Eel, 1 Porcupine Puffer, and a few assorted Damsels probably
will be food soon). I now have some question I hope you cab help with.
I purchased a bottle of Vita-Chem, made by Boyd Enterprises
any good)?
<Not a bad product. I have used this>
I know I can add directly to water, but what about injecting into food,
if so how of a dosage/often?
<Is a good idea... once a week or so... You know of Mazuri (.com)?... I
would look/read on their site re...>
I've read pros and cons on Silversides and Goldfish, probably more cons.
<I would NOT feed goldfish>
Would it be ok to feed Fresh Cleaned Calamari and Sea Scallops from
local food store?
<Yes>
Will this along with Vita-Chem be enough of a healthy diet?
<Not completely, no...>
I've had the shark since Saturday and he has eaten three Silversides
since then, but i want to switch him over to Squid/Scallops. Sorry for
the long e-mail, just want to provide as much information as possible,
and keep a happy, healthy shark.
<Take your time... no need to shorten>
One more question (sorry) is this tank big enough to add a Marbled
Catshark to?
<Mmm, yes... Do you intend to convert/amend the sump to make it into
more of a refugium? with DSB, Macroalgae, lighting...? I would>
Thank you in advance,
Steve McCauley
<Bob Fenner> |
Re: Brown banded Shark, sys., comp.
2/23/07
Hello again Mr. Fenner,
<Welcome Steve>
I want to thank you for your quick reply. I took your advice and visited
Mazuri.com and found Vita-Zu shark/rays with potassium iodate tablets.
<Ahh! Good>
I will order a batch Friday, since they come in tablets I will break
them in half and try to stuff them inside the silver-sides mouths.
<Good plan>
Should the vitamins be added once a week, or with every feeding, and
should I continue to add the Vita-Chem to the water weekly?
<Mmm, I would add once a week at this stage...>
The shark is now eating baby octopus fragments, frozen prawn, and
silver-sides. I inject the food with a small dose of Vita-Chem for now.
Since purchasing the shark on Saturday his appetite has increased
greatly and he is becoming a very aggressive eater( healthy appetite=
healthy shark)?
<Yes>
He will even locate and sift food buried in the sand. I also feed the
Lionfish with the Vita-Chem. I think his color is darkening and he looks
fantastic.
<Very nice... and if you will, just a cautionary note here re stocking
Lionfishes and sharks... can be, is done with no problems, but can be
"the end" of both... should the shark venture to try and consume the
Lion...>
Regarding the sump, I plan on leaving it the way it
is, however I did hook up a 30 gallon refugium just below the main tank,
but above the sump. The refugium has a 6" mix of crushed coral and
arrogate
<aragonite?>
sand. I will add a bunch of sand sifting snails/stars and hope to
plant Mangrove seedlings and Caulerpa is that a good idea or not?
<Is worthwhile... Do use a simple assay of nitrate/s to ascertain your
water quality picture here... I would endeavor to keep these under 40
ppm... You'll find this quite a task in a very short while...>
I have done some research and found they will remove phosphates,
nitrates, and will boost beneficial bacteria. I will have an overflow
from the main tank to the refugium then from the refugium to the sump.
Do you think this will be sufficient or do I need to add more to the
refugium.
<Likely much more "help" will be needed... as suggested last time, I
would consider illuminating the large present sump, adding a good deal
of macroalgae there, on a RDP and a deep DSB...>
I would also like to know, since I have all heater/pumps in the sump,
will electrical run off still affect the shark in the main tank?
<Mmm... a good question... not one easy, or even possible to determine
from here... as some gear in the trade is not really well electrically
insulated... I doubt though that this will become an issue... as it has
not already>
The question regarding 1" diameter bulk head fittings providing enough
flow, I read each 1" fitting will return water to the sump at a rate of
600 gallons per hour.
<Mmm... only in dreams... In actuality, something like about half this
is practical in most settings/arrangements>
I have three fittings so I figured 600 x 3 = 1800 gallon
s per hour would be sufficient water flow.
<I would up-size or add to these at your next convenience>
My local pet shop called and said the Marbled cat-shark
has arrived. The owner said the shark is 18" long, looks great, and is
very active. I will wait to see if the shark eats before I buy him.
<Good>
I sent you the dimensions of my tank and you agreed it would be big
enough to house the two sharks together.
<Yes. I recall>
I know the sharks habits/behavior are almost the same, but will they
be aggressive towards one another?
<Not likely, no>
Thank You for your time and effort in answering my questions, you are
with out a doubt a wealth of knowledge.
Steve McGauley.
<Glad to share. Bob Fenner> |
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Re: Parrot Fish Vs. Shark ... refusing to read... still
1/30/07
So a Princess Parrotfish will not take to a sting ray as it was food?
<Usually not....no.>
the only reason I ask is because I had a Lemon Peal Angel and it tryed to eat
the eyes of my shark and sting ray...
<A very common and well documented practice of many angels against/on
elasmobranchs, that could have been easily prevented with any prior
research/readings on elasmobranchs and predator/prey relations....Adam_J.>
Golden Dwarf Moray Eel and Sharks, incomp. 12/3/06
Hey Bob,
I am interested in keeping a relatively small eel in my 325 gallon aquarium.
This is the same aquarium I will be housing my 2 Brown Banded Bamboo sharks. I
was just wondering if you know of any places that sell Golden Dwarf Moray Eels?
<None that do so steadily... just have to "put in your request and wait"... I'd
try "That Fish Place", Marine Center, Marine Depot... (.coms)>
How Expensive do they normally run?
<Seventy to a hundred dollars or so FOB>
And
besides the Golden Dwarf Moray what other morays stay relatively small and
docile?
<Posted... on WWM>
Please let me know.
Thanks,
Brenden Hewko
<I would not stock a Muraenid with sharks of any species... too likely to suffer
from intentional and incidental damage from the chondrichthyans. Bob Fenner>
SHARK QUESTIONS!! Shark comp., Heterodontid sel. 10/1/06
Hey guys! First and foremost thank you for taking the time to read and
answer my questions. I currently have a 240 gallon tank with a sandy bottom, one
large piece of live rock and an 18 inch Brownbanded Bamboo shark. My questions
are how should i build a cave for her and how big should it be?
<Yes to the cave... big enough to easily fit/swim through and rest in... Maybe
twice the diameter, plus, of the shark...>
also my most important question is can it be housed with a 7 inch shark or will
it bite or attack it?
<Mmm, a possibility>
i know keeping 2 sharks in a 240 is a problem due to the amount of waste they
put out, this is a temporary thing while my other tank cycles and i am afraid
the bigger shark will injure or kill the smaller less active one!! I feed them
twice a week and they eat very well.
am not sure if keeping them well fed (offering food no more than twice a week)
would help me keep the bigger shark from biting the smaller one.
<A good risk...>
Can they be housed together or should i divide the tank so the little guy can be
safe.
<I'd separate if easy to do>
Also on your page it says to avoid the California Horn sharks offered.
Why is that?
<Posted... mainly that the principal species offered, Heterodontus francisci is
a cool/cold water species... that folks too often try to keep in tropical
settings... Second that it's attempted almost always in too-small settings>
please help me find an answer to my questions. This site is great i spent some
serious time reading through these articles and it is very helpful. Thank you so
much in advance!!
<Welcome. Bob Fenner>
Reef Fishes and Sharks - 09/23/06
Hello Eric! Chad here.
<<Hey there Chad!>>
Was wondering if I could keep a few coral reef fish in a tank with a
Brownbanded Bamboo Shark.
<<Yes>>
If I could, could you tell me what kind of fish?
<<Hmm, what do "you" like?>>
I think this would be an interesting tank if I could!
<<Indeed...and more "natural" in my opinion>>
But, if I can't I will just go with the idea that you gave me (a few
different kinds of inactive sharks)!
Thanks ,
Chad
<<Adding fish to a shark tank is quite feasible...even desirable, as
noted. (And as a reminder/clarification for other readers, the tank in
question here is a 1200 gallon "oval" design being outfitted
specifically for the smaller benthic sharks.) When choosing which
fishes to place with these sharks, I feel your emphasis should be on
picking fish that won't pose a danger to these sharks (large angels,
puffers, triggers, etc.) rather than vise-versa. These sharks feed
primarily on benthic invertebrates, though they are known to also feed
on fishes. I think the biggest danger would be to small benthic
dwellers (e.g. - many of the goby species) but suitable fishes that
spend most of their time in the upper water column would be viable
candidates...in my opinion. The fish will need suitable "structure" in
which to hide/feel at home... a large mound or "bommie" of live rock
constructed in the center of the tank (with its peak at/near the surface
would be a nice look, still allow the sharks freedom of movement around
the perimeter, provide hidey-holes/security to the fishes, and benefit
filtration/water quality/et al as only live rock can. As for fishes...a
shoal of agile reef Chromis would be a nice effect (about 20)...along
with a dozen or more Anthias (Lyretails and/or Bartlett's). You could
even add one of the Foxface species (a very good natured/gentle fish)
for some diversity and a bit of algae control. A few thoughts off the
top of my head...Regards, Eric Russell>>
Re: Reef Fishes and Sharks - 09/23/06
Thank you very much. I will make this tank the most diverse as possible!
Chad
<<I wish you much success...do let me know how things progress...maybe even send
a few pics when you have the system up and running! Cheers, EricR>>
Tang and Shark Problems 9/8/06
Hi Bob,
<Hi, Chris with you tonight>
I was hoping you could advise me on any steps I could take to prevent or
dissuade my sailfin tang from nipping the fins of my Port Jackson shark.
<Not compatible species for a variety of reasons, primarily that Port
Jackson sharks are not from tropical temperate.>
I have tried providing Nori for the tang to nibble on, although this only
provides a temporary remedy. I would very much like to keep both animals.
<Not possible more that short term.>
The other inhabitants are a stingray and Flagtail cod which do not seem to
get picked on by the tang.
<Hope it is a big tank, those are some big fish.>
Any suggestions would be much appreciated.
Regards,
Joe.
<Chris>
Re: Tang and Shark Problems Part II 9/10/06
Thanks Chris, <Sure> although my specimen was caught in the
tropical waters of Queensland, rather than the cooler waters of the
south-east coast of Australia, so the temperature aspect of
compatibility really isn't the main problem. <Unless it is a
Heterodontus zebra, it was likely a visitor and not a resident of
the area. May be a problem in the future.> Maybe I just have a
feisty tang..
<Either way most likely these fish will have to be separated. Most
likely the behavior will continue.>
<Chris>
Epaulette sharks moving to new tank. Still too crowded... Moray incomp. 8/29/06
Ok, First I want to thank you for all your help. I am getting the new tank
ready and I will be staining the stand this week to get it ready for the move.
The new tank will be a 150 driven by an Eheim 1262 external pump. Return to be
split so part goes through a Turbo Twist 15watt UV. No power heads in the tank
except the RedSea Pump in the refugium to run the Red Sea Berlin Protein
Skimmer. Titanium Grounding probe in the sump. None of the existing sand or live
rock will be moved to the new tank. Lights that came with the tank are (6) 96W
PC's. I may not light them all as it will heat the tank too much. Two 4" fans
are installed in the hood. The liverock and sand that came with the new tank
will be used. That tank was running for over 6 years and has great star polyp
rocks in it. Some as big as 14 wide covered with polyps. I only plan enough
liverock to make some caves on one end and have the rest open for swimming.
Other tank mates: 1 Golden Moray Eel, Miniatus Grouper, 1 Golden Dwarf Moray
(not introduced yet, In an isolation container), Vlamingi Tang (Currently in
Hospital Tank)
<The morays will likely be consumed... and... all need more room than this...>
My questions today are: What is the best way to move the sharks from one tank
to another?
<In large, clear "fish bags"... ask your LFS if they have some... scoop up each
one at a time, moving slowly... lift edge of bag, dump most of the water back
into the tank, lift (watch the strain on your back)...>
I plan on using a drip line once I catch them. Should a freshwater dip be used
in the process somewhere since the sharks have been scratching a lot lately in
the current setup. (Cause still unknown why.)
<... I'd use this opportunity to made a wet-slide mount (skin mucus) and look
for trematodes, other worm parasites...>
Secondly,
I had one other Golden Moray disappear from the tank with a different Banded
Cat Shark who eventually ended up on the carpet. We never found a body anywhere.
Is it likely that the shark actually ate the eel?
<Yes>
Will epaulette sharks eat eels?
<Oh yes>
They seem to do well with Krill and clams on the half shell so far.
I had a large 6"-7" sailfin blenny get loose into the current Epaulette
shark tank. They seems to want to find out what this new fish was very badly. He
was big enough to not fit in their mouths but I was not sure if they were trying
to eat him or just check out the new fish. They were very persistent on finding
him in the rocks. I luckily caught him before I knew what the end result might
have been. I am assuming they would have tries to eat him if they had caught
him.
-Mike
<Will consume. Bob Fenner>
Shark is gone now. Killing fish livestock through mis-stocking, ignorance
8/20/06
Hey Crew,
Hope you had a lovely week cause I know I didn't. Friday morning around 10am
my shark died. I don't think it was do to water qualities but due to my lion.
<Should not be housed together...>
The shark was perfectly fine the other day and the night before he died. I woke
up found him laying on his side breathing hard with a some red spots, all in a
clump, by his gills on the under side. Having a lion with a shark is very risky,
please tell others
<Is already posted... see Shark Compatibility>
if they email you about lions and sharks. At least he is in peace now.
<Exceedingly small consolation>
I have one more question for you. I think I'm going to get another fish
sometime in the next month. I would really like a puffer, particularly a
porcupine.
<? What? No... please... read...>
I do know that there's a chance of fin nipping. I have a Niger trigger also and
it never picked at the sharks or lions fins.
<...>
I would really like a fish that has great personality and I know puffers do. Any
suggestion would help. Thanks for your time.
Ben
<Less money/spending, more reading Ben... See WWM re. Bob Fenner>
Bamboo Shark/Compatibility 8/1/06
Hey Guys,
<And gals.>
I think your web site is great and I have learned a lot from you guys.
<Thank you.>
I live in Maryland and trying to get a newborn Chiloscyllium griseum no stores
can get them in small. One place called Roozens has shark eggs but I read that
most of them fail or are born with a fungal disease.
<I would not say most.>
I would put this shark in 360 gallon tank with my baby miniatus grouper and
catfish. I have my tank running for about 4 months the water is perfect, I
started it off with assorted damsels but the grouper ate most of them. I want to
get the shark small so it can grow with my grouper and catfish. What to do!
<Do read here and related links above. http://www.wetwebmedia.com/sharks.htm>
Thank you
<You're welcome.>
Joe
Sharks and Corals 7/19/06
Hello.
<Hi there>
I have a 300 gallon shark tank with 2 young banded bamboo shark in it that
hatched at my home.
<Neat>
I have a very large cave structure that is cemented together in the center of
the tank that they sleep in and prowl around.
<Good layout>
The rest of the tank is open water. I was wondering since my rock work is so
stable and I can't even topple it over if that I could keep some SPS corals
on the top of the cave close to the surface to dress the tank up a bit.
<Mmm, maybe...>
I would choose corals that don't sting of course.
<Not really much of an issue...>
Would this be a problem?
<Likely will have problems with water quality for the SPS (need high biomineral,
alkalinity content), perhaps easily knocked off the rock at night...>
In the wild they live around the stuff so I figured it would be ok.
Any input would be much appreciated.
Thanks.
Justin.
<Worth trying. Bob Fenner>
Port Jackson Shark 7/16/06
Hey guys great site.
<Thanks, but next time please use proper capitalization/grammar, makes our job
much easier.>
First of all I have a custom corner tank 5x4x4 I built my self at the moment it
has a big blue tang an a yellow one (3"), lionfish(4"), a small clown trigger
(2"), 2 big tomato clown fish(3") , and a emperor angel(3").
All is good at the moment there are a couple pieces of coral and about 20kgs of
live rock but there is a fair bit of open "lay about" area. I really want to get
myself a baby port Jackson,
1st of all I have heard ports don't like power heads in the tank, this true?
<The electrical current will wreak havoc with their ability to move around the
tank.>
Will it eat the other fish (even the clowns)?
<Probably, if it can catch it and fit it in its mouth it will probably eat it.>
Will the clown trigger once it gets big be my biggest problem, will it hurt the
shark? <Has happened before.>
Can the port and the other fish all live in the same temp. water?
<No>
What else should I know?
<Lots, too much to list here. Please read the listings on WetWeb and pick up
Scott Michael’s "Sharks and Rays" for more. Keeping sharks is not to be taken
lightly.>
Help please I really want this shark but I also want to keep my tank the way it
is. <Not possible.>
Thanks for your help keep up the good work.
Regards Adam, Sydney Australia
<Welcome>
<Chris>
Bamboo Sharks/Compatibility 6/1/06
Hello.
<Hello Justin>
My name is Justin. I have a 300 gallon tank with the dimensions of 8 feet long,
32" wide, and 24" tall. I have been into the marine hobby for many years now
and within this past year I got into large predators. I have 2 banded bamboo
sharks I hatched myself and with them I have a large marine Betta. Everyone
lives in harmony but the tank needs an eel. I was looking into getting a zebra
moray. If I get this species I don't think I will have to change the food I'm
feeding, I'm feeding fresh squid, scallops, shrimp, and mussels. Everyone stick
feeds including the marine Betta.
Oh and by the way I have Scott Michaels book "Aquarium Sharks and Rays" just
in case you would have recommended it.
Any info would be greatly appreciated.
<Justin, as you know the bamboo sharks will attain a length of over three
feet. Along with the other shark and marine Betta, and the large waste load
they produce, I wouldn't recommend adding any more livestock to the system.>
Thanks.
<You're welcome. James (Salty Dog)>
Justin.
Sharks and rays ... incomp. - 05/20/2006
Good day folks.
<Noam>
I have read through hours of your postings and although the information is
invaluable I have not found the answers I seek.
<Good>
I am currently cycling a 250 gal tank. My goal is to house one bamboo shark, and
one ray. I know the California ray is the right size and temperament however it
requires colder water temps compared to the Shark.
<Yes>
Can you please suggest a Ray that is both small in size, and has the same water
requirements as the Bamboo shark.
Thanks from Chicago.
<There are tropical species... not often offered in the trade... and I don't
encourage mixing these groups... too much "dust", activity from the Ray... Bob
Fenner>
TO Shark or not to shark? 5/11/06
Howdy Crew!
<What’s up Jeff?>
Was wondering what species to keep in a 220 gallon tank.
<Of shark I would personally keep none…just because my personal belief is that
shark quarters should be pond size or they should be left in the ocean, however
there are a few which people commonly keep in tanks of this size.>
If I did a shark, I would like it to be a brown banded bamboo shark.
<Potential size of this animal is 40”+ so beware of that….may/will outgrow
quarters.>
And I would just have that one shark with possibly one ray (my LFS suggested I
put a shark with a ray for the 220 gal.)
<No tank is too small.>
But I also like other fish such as triggers,
<Not good to mix with sharks, will/can pick on sharks.>
tangs, groupers, etc.
<This is okay…but a heavy bio-load…messy, messy, messy.>
I know it to be wise not to keep fish with sharks.
<Well benthic sharks like the bamboo are actually not much of a threat to larger
healthy fish, they couldn’t catch them if they wanted too.>
So it's either one or the other: shark tank or fish only tank with the fish only
tank hosting a Clown Trigger, Picasso Trigger, Blonde Naso Tang, Brown Powder
Tang, Stars and stripes puffer, ghost ribbon eel.
<I would say go for the fish only for the best long-term display but pick one
trigger or the other and drop the ribbon eel from the list completely…these are
to be left in the ocean….trust me it WILL perish in captivity, especially with
the aggressive tank-mates you have mentioned.>
Of course not all of them but the choices I would like to have. Anyway, what
would be the best tank to have, shark/ray tank or fish only tank?
<The fish only my friend, without a doubt.>
Thanks
<Sure.>
Jeff
<Adam Jackson.>
Bamboo Shark/Stocking 2/18/06
Is it ok to put a panther grouper with a bamboo shark (220gal)? <I
wouldn't. In short time the tank will be too small for the shark yet alone
another inmate, not to mention the increased waste load on the system. James
(Salty Dog)>
Thanks
Banded Bamboo Shark 1/13/06
Hi, is their any Scavengers For Marine Systems that I can put with my
Banded Bamboo shark without them being killed? <They are known to gobble up all
crustaceans. James (Salty Dog)>
Thanks <You're welcome>
Shark System Substrate Question - 01/04/2006
Hi thanks for your previous info...
<Unfortunately, without the message attached I'm not sure what you're referring
to.>
OK I have decided to go with only the band bamboo shark, and I was wondering if
the Home Depot play sand is adequate for the substrate?
<The Southdown stuff? Should be fine. If not, make sure it is not silica based.>
If yes, should I wash the sand prior to putting it into my tank?
<Yes.>
Thanks for the help
<Sure. - Josh>
Brown banded bamboo shark and a lionfish 8/19/05
Hi there! I will be setting up a 180g fish only saltwater tank and
would like to have 1 brown banded bamboo shark and 1 lionfish, that's
it (no other fishes). Do you think the two would get along alright??
<Mmm, this tank is too small, and there is too much chance the shark will
eat the lionfish>
I have read all the Shark Compatibility FAQ's and some of the questions are
similar but not exact.
Thanks very much for your prompt response,
Karen S.
<This shark grows to twice the length that this tank is wide... Bob Fenner>
Queen Angel Attacking White Spotted bamboo shark 8/11/05
Hello WWM Crew,
<Mark...>
I need some advice. Help! I am having a problem now with my Queen Angel
attacking my White Spotted bamboo shark.
<Happens...>
They have been together for a long time
now and was getting along until two days ago my Queen Angel who is about 7"
suddenly thinks that the shark eyeball is edible. The queen angel will
constantly pick on the sharks eyeball every time he has a chance to get to it.
I
watched it for few minutes, thinking that the queen might stop.
<No... highly unlikely... these fishes must be separated... quickly>
I looked at the sharks eye ball and I was alarmed due to its eyeball is now
all red. I took the necessary action, I fished out the queen angel (which
took me half a day to do) and put him to my quarantine tank. He is doing fine
in
the quarantine tank and eating well. The queen angel has been in the
quarantine tank for 3 days now.
My question, how long should I leave my queen angel to my quarantine tank
before I introduce him back again to my main tank with the white spotted bamboo
shark?
<Forever... can't be kept together>
I am thinking that If I separate the queen for few days and until the
shark heals, then introduce them together again, the aggression will stop
and they will get along again. Am I right? What is the best thing to do at
this
point? I like both of them. I have them both for a long time now. Please
help! Once again, thanks for your time.
Mark A.
<Please read... don't write... on WWM... learn to/use the indices, search
tool... re Shark Compatibility, Holacanthus ciliaris... Bob Fenner>
Monacle Bream / Shark Question 8/7/05
Hi Guys!!
<Hayley>
I have had a look on your website but haven't found all that much information on
breams.
<Some gorgeous species... a family not in much use in the West>
I was wondering how difficult it is to keep Monacle Bream in particular
Scolopsis bilineatus. I have an aggressive fish only tank with the following
inhabitants:
One Banded Catshark Chiloscyllium punctatum
One Purple tang Zebrasoma xanthurum
Two Fortesques Centropogon australis
I currently have a 150gal (i think - not that familiar with imperial volumes) it
is 5'x2'x2'. (I am aware that this tank is not ideal for my shark in the long
term and have been upgrading tanks as necessary)
<I see...>
Do you think that the above mentioned bream would be a suitable inhabitant?
<Should get along behaviorally... though it too really does better in a larger
system>
Or are there any other fish that you would suggest as suitable inhabitants with
my shark? Rabbit fish possibly? I particularly like Siganus dolineatus but was
worried the spines may cause trouble for the other inhabitants in the event of a
tousle.
<Yes>
I have read that species tanks are ideal for sharks, however I have had no
problems with my current inhabitants.
Thanks heaps for your help.
Hayley
<Would "go along" about as well as a Bream... as long as the shark is well-fed,
it should leave these fish/es be. Bob Fenner>
Re: Monacle Bream / Shark Question 08/08/2005
Thanks for the prompt advice! I think I'll wait for a larger system before
getting more inhabitants that aren't going to be fine in my current tank.
Hayley
<You are wise here Hayley. Cheers, Bob Fenner>
Shark - sigh... another in a mixed community tank :( 6/22/05
hello, I have a question about my banded cat shark. I
bought him about a month ago from a local pet store,
and he is about 8 weeks old. My tank is 55 gallons
with some liverock and I had a few fish.
<Please take the time to research your creatures before buying them my
friend. Two concerns here for starters: the lack of quarantine and need for
quiet isolation to get this hatchling shark started soundly and safely
(pathogens). And... the fact that it has inappropriately been placed in a
community tank. Few if any sharks really fare well long term this way. Many
simply fed die slowly of attrition from the stress of active community
fishes in the tank. Some of which will nip or kill the shark in time. Do
read more on these points in the archives here at wetwebmedia.com>
I have tested the nitrites, ammonia, and the ph. All is in the good
range. The other morning I woke up to find all 4 of my fish dead. The
previous night, I noticed them swimming slowly at the bottom of the tank (2
tangs and 2 damsels). Now all that I have is my snow flake eel and my shark.
I don't really know what happened.
<The lack of quarantine for new fishes, snails, LR, etc could have brought
in a disease. Were have some fab articles on quarantine in the archives,
again. Do take the time... it will go a very long way towards your success
in the hobby. And save fishes lives>
All were eating well but not being over-fed. I am pumping about
650 gallons per hour with my filtration and I have good current. I am now
noticing my shark breathing a bit quicker and taking shorter breaths.
<Please do several large partial water changes in the next week and look
closely for signs of disease (see disease pages and links)>
Before, it had a deep, slow breathing pattern. It does eat well but I am
noticing some scratching on the bottom of the tank.
<Indeed... if not water quality, then parasites in the gills>
I just don't understand what has happened. I'm not convinced that it is a
water issue, as I do have one anemone in the tank, and it is doing really
well.
<Yikes! Another misstep... the shark and anemone long term are poorly
suited.>
No issues with it. Can you please give me some
suggestions. Thanks so much, Christie
<It sounds to me like you need to pause on buying livestock and invest in
some good books first my friend. I fear you have not been getting good
advice, and you did not educate yourself well enough to take on live
saltwater creatures. let me strongly suggest you read Paletta's "New Marine
Aquarium" and Fenner's "Conscientious Marine Aquarist." Best regards,
Anthony>
Not
Using WWM, Mixing a Coldwater Shark With Incompatible Tropicals
Hey, I purchased a Port Jackson shark a few days ago and I was told to lower
the temp what temp should it be at? I also have some angels and triggers in the tank with the port Jackson. What is a safe temp for all the species. I
do have a chiller. Thank you.
Derrick
<... these fishes and their environments are incompatible... Please read here:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/portjacksons.htm
and the Related files linked above, and separate these animals. Bob Fenner> Epaulette Cat Shark
I recently purchased a 240 gallon acrylic tank with built in overflows. The tank is 8ft x 2ft x 2ft. I want to put an Epaulette
Cat Shark in this tank. Is this tank big enough for a shark
<Do you mean Hemiscyllium ocellatum? http://www.wetwebmedia.com/sharks.htm.
If so, no... a two foot long specimen needs a tank at least four feet wide, twelve feet long... Minimum>
and what size should I purchase him. Could my other fish lionfish (7inches), spotted grouper (9 inches), yellow tang(4 inches),
maroon clown (3 inches), banana wrasse (10 inches) and last but least a 6 inch orange
roughy live happy with the Epaulette Shark in a 240 or do I need to get rid of a couple of my fish. By the way my
Harlequin died on me I
didn't even have a chance to separate him from the bully wrasse.
Please respond soon, Thank you very much for all your help.
<Back to the drawing board... a shark will not go with this fish list. Bob Fenner>
Tankmates for Reef Sharks, Not Getting it.. 5/2/05
Thanks again for answering my questions.
<Always welcome my friend>
I do not like eels that much, could I put a tang in there, because it would not attack the shark, would it?
<Actually... tangs are nippy, and many such reef fishes will pick at the skin or even eyes of
sedentary sharks and rays. You really NEED to understand that a shark is not a community aquarium fish. Species tank means keeping only that species (of shark). There can be few exceptions if you want to succeed>
And it eats a different kind of food, so it would not compete with the shark. If not can you tell me any
fish I can put it with besides eels? Thanks
<If you truly admire this animal... you will take heed. Anthony>
Shark Compatibility?
To whom it may concern:
<Heeee!>
Could I put a one horn shark and some other fish in a 475 gallon tank that is 96"x36"x24"?
<Yes... for a while... these sharks get too big for a two foot wide system>
How about a black-banded cat shark and other fish in the same size tank?
<Mmm, yes... see the above comment>
Could you give me an idea of what fish could live with these sharks?
Thanks for you help!
<Please read here: http://wetwebmedia.com/
Go to the Shark articles and FAQs area... read... re compatibility. Bob
Fenner>
Shark Compatibility
How would an Epaulette and a Brownbanded Bamboo shark get along in a 300 gallon aquarium? And what all else do I need in the aquarium? Thanks.
<Deborah, I wouldn't put two sharks in a 300 gallon tank. They will get large and the system will not support the load. You need to define "what all else do I need...". James (Salty Dog)>
Determined Youngster Seeking Sharks II 3/25/05
Thank you a lot for answering all of my questions, but I have a few more for you. Can
I put a black banded shark in a tank with a grouper? If not what fish can I put him
with? Thanks a lot
<Most aquarium-suitable sharks really need species-specific tanks. That is to say, they should be kept alone in a special tank for them... or nearly so. A grouper would be too fast and too aggressive of an eater. Even if it did not harass the small reef shark (and it might!), it would still
out- compete it for food. It would be better to keep another poor sighted, sniffing predator like a crustacean eating eel (the Zebra moray might work well here). Anthony>
Leopard Shark and Lionfish - No Copper, Please, & No Goldfish
Hi,
<Hi Tim, MacL here with you today.>
I just have a few questions that I have been wondering and you guys seem to be the best fitted to answer the question.
I currently have a leopard shark in a 125 gal tank. I have already read many post from your crew not to keep leopard sharks in captivity, but
it's too late I already have one. I would not have purchased the shark if I had done more research on them. The shark is in a 125 and the shark is about 24". I was feeding it
Shark Formula put out by Ocean Nutrition until I introduced him to prawn from the local grocery store. It has now been eating the prawn now for about 6 months. Out of no where the shark
stopped eating. He has not eaten but a few glass shrimp from the local pet shop in the past 2 months. I have tried giving it flounder,
scallops, shrimp, and the Shark Formula, but it doesn't seem to want it. It will pick the food up and spit it out. <Sounds to me like your tank conditions might be a bit off, in my experiences with Sharks when they stop eating like that they have high nitrates.>
I had thought that it may have been because I was running CopperSafe with it, but I have not had copper in the tank for some time now and still no progress.
<EEEK, Sharks do have adverse reactions to the copper so that might indeed be the root of the problem. I would do several changes of the water to try to get as much copper out as possible. Also you can run
PolyFilters in the tank and see if it turns colors to indicate that copper is still there. Or an accurate test kit as well.>
<Editor's note: Sharks and their kin should be considered as
invertebrates, no copper!>
So my question is what should I be feeding my leopard shark and why might he be not eating. Could it be some sort of
hibernation effect since it is winter months? I am currently in the process of purchasing a 300 gallon tank. to keep him for maybe another year until donating him to an aquarium.
<You should check now with the aquarium you plan on talking to a lot of times they need a lot of advance time before taking the shark and /or they might not want them.>
Another question about the leopard shark, is there anyway to sex them?
<Males have claspers.>
I also have a 90 gal tank that I have two lionfish in. I purchased the tank with one lion and it was about 10" at the time and is now about 14", and the other I grew up from a little guy and it is about 10" now. The large lion has always had issues with his side fins growing, they curl as they grow and seem to break easily.
<Tank is too small for him I'm sorry to say. Also he probably has a vitamin deficiency if you are feeding freshwater fish to him.>
I was thinking that it may be from poor nutrition.
<Sounds like you are right on track, they need vitamin supplementation if you use freshwater fish like goldfish to feed them. You should try to get them converted over to things like prawn and smelt etc. Also they need a variety in their diet and not just one type of food. This is much easier to do with the younger fish.>
The smaller lion has beautiful side fins and I feed him all live also, but it is fairly young compared to the larger one. I have read recently that lions should not be fed freshwater fish due to some type of toxic chemical that can harm the fish over time. What should I be feeding my lions. Also, is there any way to sex a lion fish?
<Not that I am aware of, although a male and female tend to stay closer in a tank to each other. Also, there's an amazing article about lionfish in one of last years articles of Coral, great info there. Good luck, MacL>
Sting Ray Companions for now?
I have a 55 gal "long" aquarium - 48"x13"x20" with 2 reef Chromis in, that
finished the cycle period and is now left over ( I am transferring them to my
reef very soon) . I have a Round California Stingray (only 3" D baby) in
Quarantine in my 20gal. I have Another reef tank so I am pretty experienced with
the fish keeping hobby, so imp trying something new. I am upgrading to a 125
later this year and am hoping to put the stingray in there when he gets a little
bigger. I am actually asking about what fish would be good partners for the ray?
I am thinking of a small bamboo shark that can go into the 125 (later in about
march I was thinking to get the new tank). However I want some actual fish in
there too. I have seen rays and bamboos do pretty well with a small baby humu. I
would just like to know what fish will be a good bet for now, that I might be
able to upgrade when they get bigger to my large tank, since that is what I'm
aiming for. So I was also thinking about maybe a small yellow tang (I have a LFS
that gets in many baby fish, and are much smaller than the other LFS have). So
please let me know what is a good addition , even if they do need a bigger tank
when they get bigger, since I will provide them with one, no questions asked.
Are, they're any good SMALL tangs, triggers (humu is the only "small" one I
found) butterflies etc.... just as long as these fish will be good with the ray.
Thank you very much
Chris
>>>Greetings Chris,
First, some info on tank size. 125 gallons is a *small* tank. The minimum tank
size for any of the cat or bamboo sharks is 6 feet in length, by 24 inches wide.
This amounts to a 180 gallon tank. Again, this is the minimum size, not only for
the sharks but for the ray as well. You should know that I'm not just quoting
numbers from some book, but speaking form experience. I've kept these animals in
the past for several years.
Secondly, most triggers are very poor tank mates for cat sharks, bamboo sharks,
and rays. I've seen them lose eyes to curious triggers on more than one occasion
in store display tanks. Appropriate trigger species would be the niger, Bluejaw
or crosshatched triggers. Tangs are fine, as are angels, larger damsels,
groupers and lionfish. Again, a large tank is needed for some of these fish,
larger than 125 gallons. I suggest you budget for at least a 180 gallon tank.
Cheers
Jim<<<
Blacktip Reef Shark
Dear Bob,
<Mike D here, filling in>
I have read most of the articles on your web site and found it to be the most
informative resource on keeping Blacktip Reef Sharks in a home aquarium.
I have a 530 gallon saltwater aquarium in my house and so far I only have one
Blacktip Reef Shark in it (18" long).<This would seem too small for a black tip,
with their swimming habits and peculiarities making them only truly suitable for
larger, round tanks in time.>
The owner of the shop who built the aquarium for me suggested that I introduce
some Picasso Triggerfish into the aquarium and assured me that the shark will
not attack them.<I can't see why he would have told you that as nothing that I'm
aware of would indicate that this is even mildly feasible.>
Last night we put in four Picasso Triggerfish (4" long). I was horrified when I
woke up this morning to see that the Shark had massacred the Triggers.<Blacktips
normally hunt by night with finely tuned senses that enable them to detect
sleeping fish and literally dig them out of the LR. Granted, the "trigger" fin
of the Picassos is an evolutionary adaptation to allow them to "lock" themselves
into crevices as a defense against just such a predator, but to work, there has
to be LOTS of LR piles in such a manner as to create mazes and nooks that the
shark simply can't get into.
Without LR arranged so, the triggers would be fillet on the half shell, as would
almost any other fish, the Blacktips being the masters at this type of
hunting.>
Was I wrong in introducing the Triggers into the aquarium?<I would appear so>
What other species can I introduce into the aquarium with the Shark and how
many?<This is dependent upon many things....the size and type of the other fish,
the amount and arrangement of the LR and many, many others> Is there any type of
shark proof fish?<Two that I know of, and neither of which are available or
particularly appealing, the Hagfish, an eel-like shark relative that produces
amounts of slime so copious as to be almost unswallowable by anything, and a
flounder from the Mediterranean called the Moses sole that seems to have evolved
the ultimate shark repellent, so complex that they still haven't been able to
unlock the secret.
In my estimation, adding LR would help as long as it's not open and airy
looking, with the requirement being fortification rather than aesthetics, while
any fish attempted need to be at least as large as the Blacktip and/or able to
worm into the LR and not be dug out.
The final condition, of course, would be feeding. If the shark is very well fed
just before or as the lights go out, the odds of tankmates being gobbled in the
night decrease dramatically. While sharks have unbelievable digestive capacity,
it's not a particularly fast process, much like a snake.
The kicker, of course, is that you have a small juvenile shark, meaning it has
higher dietary needs to take into account the fact that it's trying to grow.>
I would greatly appreciate your help on this.<Sorry I couldn't be more
encouraging, but you've chosen an animal that specializes in eating fish and are
keeping it under sub-optimal conditions, OK for now, but very temporary as it
grows.>
Amir Dajani
Possible Shark Addition?
Hi Crew,<Hi, Mike D here> I just finished upgrading to my new 240 gallon
tank. I transferred my
puffer, black and white banded clown, yellow tang and damsels from the 75
gallon to the new tank.<After it completely cycled right? How long has this new
tank been up and running?> Now the tank is looking sort of dead with so few
fishes
in a large tank.<Use care not to go overboard. Even if fully cycled, it takes a
considerable time to balance and stabilize, with additions of large fish or
large numbers of fish likely to cause ammonia and nitrite spikes> I have been
planning on adding a large angel fish<personally, I'd suggest waiting before
adding the angel. I've never had good success with any of the larger species in
tanks that have been set up less than 12 months>, 2 dwarf
angels<When adding more than one dwarf, even in larger tanks, it's best to add
all of them at the same time to avoid territorial conflicts> and a zebra moray
soon.<Zebras are magnificent animals and usually do well if provided fresh
shrimp and crabs, usually from a seafood market or such. Very few shops carry
the proper foods for many of the larger species> I was thinking about adding a
bamboo shark to the
tank, would this work with the current fish or the fish I plan to add?<I'd
suggest against that one. I have one in my 300 gal tank and in just about a year
even it's up to two feet long. Small fish, such as damsels and clownfish are at
serious risk of becoming lunch. If you feed sparingly to protect water quality,
as many people erroneously do, the likelihood of other fish being attacked
increases dramatically. Bamboos can and do reach a full 39", and they do it
MUCH faster than many people realize. Pull out a tape measure and actually look
at the 39". That's a BIG fish even for a 240, and these definitely are
carnivorous. If you don't feed sufficiently heavy, being sharks, they are quite
capable of adding to their diet by removing fish in with them> Thanks
Possible Shark Addition? continued)
Wow, thanks Mike for the quick reply.<You're welcome and you got me
again> For your question, I did add the fish
after the tank had cycled and the tank was cycling for about 6 months until I
added the fish to the tank. I realize that when adding the new fish to add them
very slowly and not all at one time so the tank can stabilize with the large
bioload that it will create.<Very good Grasshopper! **grin**> Though, in a
couple more months when the tank is
ready for me to add the large angel, I read that the angel should be added
last to the aquarium, but should I add the large angel and the 2 dwarf angels at
the same time so they wouldn't fight to avoid territorial conflicts or would
this be too strenuous on the stability of the aquarium and detrimental to the
other inhabitants?<I wouldn't be concerned about the large/dwarf angel problem,
although you should make sure there is plenty of LR arranged so that the little
ones can escape to areas where they can't be followed. Often large and dwarf
species don't seem to recognize each other as even being related. I WOULD make
sure to add all dwarf angels simultaneously, though!> Also for future reference,
if I did upgrade to a bigger tank
again and placed the damsels in my other 55 gallon, would I have to be
worried about the angels and stars and stripes puffer who is very peaceful at 7"
right now, picking on the shark?<This would be my concern, and in relation to
the Angel only, because of territorial aggression, with the puffer likely not a
problem in that respect> or would it be the other way around, the shark
picking on the puffer and angel?<Only if the shark is starving, and if a shark
ever attacks and kills a puffer it's usually fatal to AT LEAST the shark and
puffer, occasionally to everything in the tank. Once it's shredded in the
aquarium, any fish that so much as samples one tiny piece containing
tetrodotoxin is doomed> Thanks again<You're welcome> and sorry for all the
questions
:-)<Why? No questions=no reason for me to be here. As it was once said (Mark
Twain?)" The only dumb question is the one never asked."
Bamboo shark and clownfish in the same tank - 8/4/04
Hello I have recently purchased a bamboo shark and a large clown fish Will they
be ok in the same tank? <What size tank are we talking about here, Jason?> what
other fish can I put in the tank? <Again, what size tank?>
Kind regards, <A little more information would be helpful here. Overall, there
aren't many recommendations for fish as a shark is a shark is a shark and an
astute opportunist at minimum. The clownfish will be a test of the
aggressiveness of the shark. Also if this tank is less than 100 gallons and this
is an adult shark you might have trouble with the shark being able to turnaround
in the tank without attaining rub wounds on its rostrum or tail (or even its
sides). This is where the cost of owning a shark can skyrocket as it can be
somewhat expensive to treat sharks for abrasions. So the advice here is to see
if you can't get a tank that has greater width than height.
Also, don't forget to look at adding vitamin supplements for your
shark. Check out www.mazuri.com This is the brand we use at the Monterey Bay
Aquarium for vitamin supplementation. Vitamins are a very important addition for
your shark and should never be under estimated. Hope this helps ~Paul>
Jason Theuma
Bamboo and clownfish in the same aquarium part II - 8/4/04
Hello I have recently purchased a Bamboo Shark and put it in a 4ft x 2ft x
2ft tank with a large clown fish. <Hey, I just sent a response to Jason. This is
a 55 gallon I believe. My recommendation is for a wider tank if possible. For
sharks long and wide is better than long and tall.....are we still talking about
shark tanks??......sheesh> I was told this would be OK but I have been noticing
that the clown fish only stays in one corner of the tank and that the sharks has
be circling around the tank below the clown fish? <Well, could be a problem.
Again, a shark is an opportunist at minimum. Survival skills, adaptation, wild
instincts, have made them the apex predator that they are. There is no hard and
fast rule for compatibility. I personally have never seen a bamboo shark eat
large aquarium fish, but that doesn't mean someone else hasn't. So my thing is
this will be a 20-40 dollar lesson/experiment (depending on how much the
clownfish cost you). Don't forget to supplement your shark's diet with vitamins.
Check out www.mazuri.com. A great source of shark vitamin supplement. Go with a
multi type vitamin.>
Will the clown fish be OK? <Impossible for me to say. Some people may have had
no problem keeping their fish and sharks together, yet others may have not been
so lucky. Animals have personalities not unlike humans. So....well.....you get
what I am saying.....>
What other fish can I put in a tank with a Bamboo Shark? <the above statement
says it all. Let's see how the clownfish does. Give it some time. ~Paul>
Kind Regards
Julia Griffin
Are Shark Eyes a Tasty Angel Treat? (5/26/04)
Hello Crew <Steve Allen with you tonight.>, I recently purchased a Queen Angel and a Banded Cat Shark, both were in the same tank and the shark actually hatched in the tank with the Queen Angel. After I purchased them I noticed that the Queen Angel would try to nip at the Sharks eyes. I called the original owner and he said he had never seen this behavior before therefore I gave it some time, but now after a week I still see the same behavior,
every time the shark is out and about the angel will slowly go up to it and then try to pick on his eyes which causes the shark to dart underneath a rock. <Very bad. If he gets them, your shark is a goner.>
The Angel is 4" and the shark is about 10", they are currently in a 180 gallon tank until my 240 comes back from the shop. There are 4 tangs in the tank but they don't bother the shark at all. I'm afraid that the angel will end up eating his eyes therefore I've put him in my 92 gallon tank. <Yes, smart move.>
Is it normal for Angels to do this or do you think the Angel will get over picking at the Shark and what fish would you recommend I keep with a banded cat shark? <Ah, just what is normal really? Sure it's normal. They pick at things that look edible. Most carnivorous animals eat eyes. Have you noticed that the first thing to go on a dead fish is its eyes? In fact, this behavior by large angels toward aquarium sharks is well-known. You should buy "Aquarium Sharks & Rays" by Scott W. Michael. There's a whole chapter about tankmates, including a warning about Queen & other large Angels.>
I'm planning on putting a Golden Moray Eel with the Shark, do you think there will be problems? <Morays usually make good tankmates. Buy the book. No shark owner should be without it.>
Thanks. <You're welcome. I hope this helps.>
Same question, same answer for shark and eel compatibility - 4/27/04
Hi I think I am finally going to give up my search for a marbled or coral
Catshark. My question is do you think if I ordered a bamboo shark for
liveaquaria.com it would be lunch for my snowflake eel that is about a foot?
<Adam, here is the answer (right from our shark compatibility page) I gave
you last time you asked this:
Shark with Eel - 3/30/04
Hi crew I was just wondering if it would be ok to keep a bamboo shark egg
with a snowflake moray eel? <Should be fine. There is always a chance for
aggression but in most cases this combination should be fine> I'd say the eel
is about a foot. <Should be OK> Also when it hatches would it be safe?
<Likely, but there could be aggression. Will need to keep both eyes on the
tank as much as you can spare to be sure. Is always a risk, though ~Paul>
Thanks for all of your help - Adam Siders>
The sharks at Live Aquaria say they will be either 3-5 inches which sounds
really small according to Scott Michael's book. <Nah. It is very popular to
hatch this shark from egg casing. I think this a perfect size to receive such a
shark> So I was wondering if you think it would be safe with my eel, the eel
is pretty aggressive. <Then likely not but please read above answer> Also
my next question is on the name it says that it is a black banded bamboo shark.
To my knowledge there aren't any of these but it has the Latin of a brown
banded. <the color varies based on genetics. We have varying degrees of brown
to black and so on at the Monterey Bay Aquarium> Do you think it will be a
brown banded? <It is likely a brown banded just a different color
variation>
Thanks for all of your guy's help in the past <No worries. Due to our current
load of questions, I would again, like to ask our readers to at the very least,
please read through our FAQs before asking their questions. Verify it has not
been answered before. Thanks to all for your support ~Paul>
Re: sharks
Oh sorry, well I just called a LFS and they said that they will be getting some
next week so I reserved one. <Very good> But do you really work at the
Monterey Bay aquarium? <I do> That would be awesome. <It is
awesome> There was recently an article in the newspaper that told
about your guy's new shark exhibit. <Yes, I have put quite a bit of time into
that exhibit. Worked on dither fish quarantine and moving animals about. Spent a
few nights there until 3:30 am Worth it though. The exhibit is beautiful!> It
sounds awesome and it gave the link to the shark cam. <Great idea,
eh?> That's really cool too. I might visit during the summer if I
can save up enough money. <Sure, come on out. Be sure to let me know that you
are coming and if I am around I might be able to show a few things from behind
the scenes and maybe put you in touch with a few of our shark experts. See ya
around.....~P>
Shark with Eel - 3/30/04
Hi crew I was just wondering if it would be ok to keep a bamboo shark egg with a snowflake moray eel? <Should be
fine. There is always a chance for aggression but in most cases this combination
should be fine> I'd say the eel is about a foot. <Should be OK> Also when it hatches would it be safe? <Likely, but there could be aggression.
Will need to keep both eyes on the tank as much as you can spare to be sure. Is always a risk, though ~Paul>
Thanks for all of your help - Adam Siders
Sharks & Rays -- There Are Better Choices For 125 Gallons (3/23/04)
<For future reference, please capitalize the proper noun "I"
and the first letter of each sentence. We post all queries and replies on our
site permanently an want them as readable as possible. Our volunteer crew will
have a lot more time to answer queries if they don't have to proofread them.
Thanks.>
Hello there, I have been reading your site for about 2 hours now and
I have found some very interesting information about sharks and rays. I have a
125 gallon tank running now and my cycle is almost complete. I would like to put
1 banded catshark, 1 snowflake eel (but if needed, I wouldn't mind getting rid
of the snowflake), 1 blue spotted stingray and either 1 cuttlefish or a spotted
snake eel together. Please give me some idea on what species I can put together.
thank you very much!!!!!!
<I question how thoroughly you read the shark & ray info on the site, for
the answer is right there (http://www.wetwebmedia.com/sharkslvgrm.htm). No
shark should be put in any tank smaller than 220G. To do otherwise is cruel.
Most sharks need even bigger (up to thousands of gallons) tanks. 200 is the
absolute minimum for the ray as well. 300 is better, but Blue-Spotted Rays have
a notoriously high mortality rate. All of this info was already on the site. As
for cuttlefish, the shark would likely eat it. Cuttlefish should be kept
solitary and need a chiller. Do be a conscientious/caring aquarist and forget
the shark, the ray and the cuttlefish. Here's a better idea: The Snowflake Eel
would be wonderful as the only Eel in your tank. I'm not certain what species
you refer to as "Spotted Snake Eel," but you're better off with only
one eel in this size tank. You might consider a Zebra Moray instead of the
Snowflake. Start thinking of some other fairly aggressive, moderate-sized fish
that would be OK with your Eel without being attacked by it. Look at
Zebrasoma-species Tangs, Rhinecanthus-species Triggers, a Harlequin Tuskfish,
among others. The point is that there are a lot of better, more responsible
choices for your tank than sharks and rays. I doubt you like to hear all of
this, but it's the truth. Hope it helps, Steve Allen.>
Nurse shark and fish compatibility - 3/1/04
hi,
I have a foot long nurse shark in a 5,000 gallon tank. I was wondering what
other kinds of fish can I put in with him? is there any kind of cleaner fish
that can help him get rid of parasites? can I put any other regular fish as long
as they're big enough? please help. <Here is some gleaned info (from Scott
Michael amongst many others) from various sources. "One of the most readily
available shark species is the nurse shark (Ginglymostoma cirrhatum). This shark
adapts well to captivity, its biggest drawback being the enormous size that it
can attain, more than 14 feet in length! They usually commence feeding
immediately, and are very tolerant of poor water quality. In the wild these
sharks spend their days resting under ledges and in caves, and their nights are
spent foraging for lobsters, crabs, sea urchins, octopus, snails, clams and
fish. When they locate a prey item hiding in a reef crevice or cavity, they suck
it out by suddenly expanding the mouth and gill cavities. They are apparently
site specific, returning to the same coral head after each nocturnal foray.
These sharks relish fresh table shrimp, scallops and fish in the aquarium, but
feed them sparingly or you'll be looking for a new home for your shark before
you know it. They will also make short work of any tankmate that can be
swallowed. These sharks have been reported to mate in large oceanariums, but
their large size at maturity precludes them being bred in the home
aquarium." "The Ginglymostoma cirrhatum grows up to 168 inches. The
Nurse Shark prefers a tank of at least 500 gallons to start with plenty of
places to swim, but will eventually need an aquarium of at least 3,000 gallons.
Because of this, this species should only be kept by experienced aquarists. The
Nurse Shark is a carnivore and likes to eat variety of chopped crustaceans, fish
pieces, shrimp, shellfish, squid. The Nurse Shark is a high maintenance fish and
may act aggressively toward other fish. Not reef-safe." Here is a page with
some compatibility information: http://lib1.store.vip.sc5.yahoo.com/lib/marinedepotlive/Compatibility.GIF
Looks like there isn't much in the way of known compatibility. Good luck.
~Paul>
Horn sharks
I wanted to know what can a horn shark live with in an aquarium.
<Other cool/coldwater organisms that it can't or won't eat... Please take a
read through www.WetWebMedia.com using the search term "Horn Shark",
and get your hands on Scott Michael's recently redone shark book... will save
you a good deal of money and grief. Bob Fenner>
Bamboo Sharks and Snow Flake Eels - 12/27/03
I am in the process of setting up a 120 gallon tank and up grading within 12
months to (at a minimum) a 240 gallon tank.
<Sounds like it will be nice quarters for the predators you wish to keep.>
My question is, I am torn between getting a bamboo shark or snowflake eels and
the potential for co-existence with other fish within the tank.
<Either animal has the potential to be aggressive with tankmates,
particularly smaller ones, but even larger ones are at risk. Keeping
these animals well fed will help minimize the risk.>
I know other fish can live in harmony with the snowflake (suggestions on the
best types/species), however what about other fish with the bamboo shark?
<As above. Avoid slow moving fish and those that seem like obvious
prey. Tangs, large angels, other predators could probably hold their
own just fine.... But there is always a risk.>
I would like to think when the shark is still very young there may be a type or
two that may co-exist together.
<If you mean more than one shark... I advise against it. One
shark and a couple of other tank mates will put you at the stocking limits of
even the 240.>
Any help and suggestions you can provide would be very helpful.
<Do find and read Scott Michael's book on Sharks for the home aquarium. It
will give you lots of good info on suitable species, suitable tankmates and
ideal tank conditions.>
Greatly appreciated! Todd
<happy to! Adam>
Re: Sharks
Dear Bob,
My 700 gallon tank has just got done cycling. Before I get sharks I
was wondering if I got two coral catsharks (male and male, male and female, or
female and female) if they would fight because I read in Scott Michael's book
that they have eaten puffers and moray eels tails. Also try to eat
other fish even bigger than their mouths! So I was also wondering if
I could have any other fish with them. I really like Volitans
Lionfish but I'm afraid they would eat it then get stung by their venom then
DIE! I don't want this to happen but do you think it would?
THANKS!!!!!!!
Bam Margera
<I doubt these sharks will fight, bite each other, but I would not place a
Lionfish species in with them. Bob Fenner>
Coral Catsharks
Thanks for the quick reply ok well I was also wondering what fish I might be
able to have that won't get eaten I heard goatfish were fast and would do ok do
you know of any others?<large angelfish are definitely out of the question
because they have a tendency to pluck an eye or two out of the shark :(, You
could try large tangs...if your aquarium is large enough try a large Naso Vlamingi.. I
would just go to different forums and try to speak with people who keep the
species of sharks that you wish to keep and ask them what other fish are housed
with them, Good luck, IanB>
Thanks
Nurse Shark Eating a Lion fish
I have I 220g fish tank FOWLR. I have a 19" Nurse Shark, Naso Tang, and
had a Volitans Lionfish. My question is the Nurse Shark ate the Lionfish, is
there any cause for concern being the Lionfish is venomous. I didn't think
anything ate the Lionfish. Thanks for any info. on this.
Seth
<Does happen... and could be real trouble... physically, if the shark's
stomach, alimentary canal has been perforated... not so much for ingestion of
toxin. "Only time can/will tell"... Not a good idea to mix anything
that can be inhaled... Bob Fenner>
Re: Nurse Shark Eating a Lion fish
Thanks for the quick response. I read anything and everything I can on my
new found love of saltwater life. Most of which is on your web site. This is
the most informative site to date. And appreciate the time and dedication
devoted by all members. I look forward to purchasing the books you have put
out. Thanks again Seth
<Do feed that Nurse Shark sparingly... it will grow virtually "right
before your eyes" otherwise. Good luck, life. Bob Fenner>
Shark compatibility
Dear Bob
<Hello Adam>
Hope all is well. I'm planning on getting a 180 gal. tank and a
brown-banded bamboo shark egg. I was wondering if it would be ok to
keep 1-2 yellow tangs and coral banded shrimp with it. I already have
Scott Michael's book and I was also wondering about how long would it be before
I will need a new tank after the 180 gal.
<The tangs and shrimp should be fine... though the shark will very likely
consume the shrimp once it hatches out and grows a bit. Your 180 will likely be
large enough for a year or two... do make sure and keep any holes large enough
for the shark to exit closed over.>
Thanks for your time
Adam Siders
<Thank you for writing. Bob Fenner>
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