Tropical Fish Species

Horn Shark

Although many people think of sharks as fearsome “man-eaters”, fatalities from shark bites are rare. In fact, there were 10 times as many fatal dog attacks than shark attacks in the U.S. since 2001.

Still, these fascinating creatures are the alpha predators of the sea and are well deserving of respect and admiration. Sharks are found throughout the world’s oceans and feed on all types of animal life – fishes, crustaceans, mollusks, turtles, seals, etc.

Some of the largest species, such as the 40 foot Whale Shark, feed on plankton and other tiny creatures. All sharks have a skeleton composed of cartilage instead of hard bone and have gill slits on the sides of their heads. Sharks vary in size from 18 inches to over 40 feet.

Smaller species of sharks are occasionally available in the marine fish hobby. Unfortunately, all too often marine aquarists who are armed with little fish tanks and very little knowledge decide to purchase a “cool” shark for their homes. Soon they wind up with a dead shark and an empty wallet. Sharks have many specialized needs that must be met if they are to survive and thrive in a home aquarium. First, they must have a very large tank to live in along with an excellent filtration system that keeps the water pristine.

They eat a lot and produce a lot of waste so frequent water changes should be regularly scheduled. They should also be provided with a fine sand bed and a few hiding places, though decorations should be limited. Sharks are very intolerant of any metals in the water and should not be treated with medicines containing such.

They will also likely refuse to eat for the first few days or even weeks. They may be tempted to feed if offered live foods such as shrimp or crab. Once they are eating, they should be fed a variety of meaty fare such as fish, squid, shrimp, clams, etc. Sharks do not need to be fed everyday. Rather it is best to feed them 2 or 3 times a week to cut down on the waste produced and slow their growth rate. Sharks do best in a species only tank – smaller fishes may be eaten and larger fishes may nip at them and cause undue stress and damage.

Sharks reproduce through internal fertilization. Males can be recognized by the claspers near their pelvic fins. Some species give birth to live young while others lay eggs that are covered in a leathery shell. The young are born or hatch after several months and are fully developed. Some shark species have been bred in captivity but only in large facilities under expert supervision.

TankConditions: 72-78°F; sg 1.020-1.025; pH 8.1-8.4; dKH 8-12

Compatibility: Live rock, sand.