I forgot to mention there is another type of shark which is suitble for a tropical aquarium, the Red Tailed Shark (Epalzeorhynchus Bicolor).
They are again really attractive but they do not get on with each other. In fact they can be very disruptive, aggressive and territorial to other fish in the tank. They grow to approximate 5 inches.
06-12-02, 02:29 PM Chazz123 There are lots of fish that are called "sharks" but the true sharks that you find for sale in the aquarium trade are salt water and grow very large, needing extremely large aquariums. Also, using water from the ocean wouldn't be a very good idea as the water near the coast is pretty contaminated and you'd have to go out far to get good water. A better solution would be to get what is called sea salts and make your own salt water. Most fish stores sell this.
Like before mentioned bala and red tail sharks and one of those freshwater fish that are called "sharks" because of their appearance but are by no means real sharks. It's a name mostly for sale purposes.
Bala sharks get much larger than 8 inches. Of course if not given enough room and clean water, they wont grow to their full length but they can reach a length of about 14 inches (more or less). They are wonderful fish in that they are docile and striking in their appearance, but they require a school and lots of water to live to their fullest. A 4 foot tank just would not cut it. I'd say you'd need at least an 8 foot long aquarium. But those are the two most common freshwater "sharks".
Do your research before you buy.
06-12-02, 02:36 PM Chazz123 to answer what I didn't read before: smile
The freshwater "sharks" mentioned before eat most anything. Vary their diet with dry prepared fish foods, frozen and live foods. The real sharks, which I don't recommend you getting, are carnivourous.
Please, read up before you buy. I don't know if you've owned fish before or not, you didn't mention, but I can't stress enough that you need to know what you are buying. There are lots of things to know about water and filtering and lighting and heating and so much more. Again if you allready know this, then just ignore me.
The Red-tailed shark would be a "better" fish only because it doesn't reach such large lengths.
Good luck and good fishkeeping! smile
06-13-02, 10:22 AM Chazz123 Here's another Shark wanabee:
Chinese Hi fin banded shark (Myxocyprinus asiaticus)
It is a freshwater species and also gets very large, up to 2 feet. PetEducation.com has some information on this fish. Again, it is not a real shark and only named so for it's looks.
06-13-02, 11:47 PM lokiboy right now i have a young nurse shark in a 200 gal. tank. she is about 20" long right now but she will get up to 6 feet in leanth so in about five years i will end up having to get a biger tank to keep her in, even though i love haveing this shark it is a money pit when you think about the fact that i am going to end up with at least a 500 gal. tank pluse having to by the filtration (wich i will make myself but still will coast alot to do) and the lighting. but to me it is worth it. roll eyes
06-18-02, 01:16 AM Chazz123 A nurse shark!!! Oh my goodness. Where in the world did you get it?
06-21-02, 08:12 PM jaxmom I know very little about salt sharks, but alot about other salt fish. What I do know is that they get very big, the smallest being 3-4 feet. A fish that size would require at least a 500 gallon aquarium, with a serious protien skimmer and masive filteration and water flow. A tank that big would most likely go through the floor of most houses! I agree with the earlier question of have you ever owned fish before... have you ever done saltwater? I know that some sharks can be very expensive and delicate. They are very sensitive to nitrites/nitrates as well as other polutions in a small (I say that loosly with a 500 gal) environment. I personally would not recomend a shark for anyone without access to a private zoo, IMO they are best left in the wild!
11-26-02, 10:52 PM The Shark pro Dear Alison Wonder Yes there is some real Shark like the banded Bamboo Shark that can get to 2feet to 4feet that you can get for your aquarium. but you need a 180 gallon or biger. you buy one around for $100 or less they are puys. They are not for beginers they are salt water
07-21-05, 10:12 AM HEAT Ruby sharks or it's albino brother the gold ruby shark. The gold ruby shark was thought to be another spieces but they discovered it was just an Albino form.
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