Sharks...

[coast2coast7390]

Does anyone have any experience with grey reef sharks...what is that vitamin company that has a shark vitamin line???

Much Thanks in Advanced

[TheSaltwaterGuy]

Are you planning on keeping one? You are aware that they need tanks of about 6,000 gallons, right?

[Heterodonut]

Mazuri is the maker of Vita-Zu. I bought their 900 gram size. It is Maz Vita-Zu Shrks/RayII in the .19G size pill. I have smaller sharks (horn sharks) and so I have a LOT more vitamins than I need. If you want to buy some, but don't want a pound worth, let me know. I'd be happy to share at cost+shipping.

[coast2coast7390]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10101802#post10101802 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by TheSaltwaterGuy
Are you planning on keeping one? You are aware that they need tanks of about 6,000 gallons, right?

why yes i am...they (2) are about 15 inches...they would be going into my pond...with my garabaldi and lobsters

[coast2coast7390]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10102000#post10102000 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Heterodonut
Mazuri is the maker of Vita-Zu.

thats the company i was looking for!!!thanks a lot...

[TheSaltwaterGuy]

What size pond?

[coast2coast7390]

big enough ;)

[DamnPepShrimp]

A shark pond is never big enough, it will never compare to their habitat. Just how big is big enough? Grey reef sharks need a lot of swimming room, I don't think 6,000g would be enough. I don't think my parents pool at 25,000g would be enough for a 6ft shark. I also think your lobsters and damsel will become lunch.

[TheSaltwaterGuy]

How big???

[billsreef]

How would you feel being cooped up in a mere 6000 pond? To put it in perspective, those sharks get as big as a large person and are very active swimmers.

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/551/32Grand_Cayman-Grey_Reef_Shark.JPG

I'll have to look through my photo's and see if I have one that includes a diver for size comparison purposes. IMO these guys need full size swimming pool's as a minimum.

[alex656]

Well, if you are going to go down that road, how big is big enough for any fish? What about Clown fish? How do you think they feel being pinned up in a 40 Gal? If you put if all in prospective....any fish you get will be cooped up in a tank compared to where they come from....the ocean. But those sharks do require a huge pond atleast....

[billsreef]

Alex,

If you read all of what I wrote, you'll notice I did include a minimum size recommendation ;) One of the things that goes into figuring an adequate size is too look at the fishes natural range in the wild. The clownfish you mention as an example don't naturally swim more than a few inches to maybe a foot away from their anemone. This makes them quite suited to a modest tank like a 20 gallon or even a 10 for some of the smaller species. The Grey Reef Shark, however, is a 5-6 foot shark on the average and is one of the species that constantly swim. Hence the need for a very large size tank.

[Fishfreak218]

PICS!!!! I want to see the SW pond

[DamnPepShrimp]

Also most clownfish are tank raised, therefore they never actually see the ocean. They only know a tank, so there is no harm done. Even a swimming pool is too small for a grey reef shark, they belong in the ocean or at a huge public aquarium.

[krj-1168]

Even a swimming pool is too small for a grey reef shark, they belong in the ocean or at a huge public aquarium.

Completely agree.

If you have a tank the size of Public Aquarium (say about 250,000 gallons) then you might be able to keep a couple - if you have the correct permits. If you only have a large swimming size shark pond - pick another species.

The Gray Reef Shark (Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos) grow up to 8.33 ft in length, and average about 6.4 ft as adults.

[alex656]

Wow, Bill does not get sarcasm. And yes I read all of what you wrote. My point being, any fish is going to be cooped up. I just think its funny how a person will pos something wanting information to better care for an animal and they get attacked from the fish police.... I could not agree more about these sharks being kept in home, 95% of sharks available shouldnt even be sold. But...they are. I just feel that when someone who already has the animal is trying to care for it they shouldnt be attacked. But what do I know, apparently I didnt know clow fish only swim several inches from their anemone. Who knew?

[billsreef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10112292#post10112292 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by alex656
Wow, Bill does not get sarcasm.

Ah, Alex, it might help if you use emoticons ;) I rather enjoy good sarcasm, but in the written media of the internet it is impossible to covey without using smilies or some other means of conveying the fact that sarcastic wit is at play :)

BTW, when someone has a baby fish that grows to a good 6 feet it is usually wise to be sure they understand what it needs. You might be surprised how many people get something like that as a small fish and either don't realize how big it gets or what it really needs. Worse yet, many people think they'll just be able to give it away or even sell it a public aquarium without realizing that the public aquarium will not take it in most cases.

[coast2coast7390]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10112038#post10112038 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by krj-1168

The Gray Reef Shark (Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos) grow up to 8.33 ft in length, and average about 6.4 ft as adults.

so if they average 6.5 feet that means not all of them get to that size...some have to grow larger and some smaller to create that average...right???

[billsreef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10136577#post10136577 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by coast2coast7390
.some have to grow larger and some smaller to create that average...right???

Correct. However, you need to remember that you have no way of knowing which side of that average you will end up with. It could end up the 8 footer ;)

[blfuller123]

Why is it that anytime anyone post any question about a shark, ten people think they need to chime in about the size of the tank/pond without ever answering the original question? I understand that most people cant adequately house a shark, but...nevermind. Just venting!!!

[krj-1168]

so if they average 6.5 feet that means not all of them get to that size...some have to grow larger and some smaller to create that average...right???

Not exactly - more like it's the average between the sharks the are barely mature & and the maximum size. So if the species - mature at 4.6' and can reach 8.4' - then the average about 6.5'.

Yes it may be the average size of most of the adult gray reef sharks captured - but you also need to remember that most sharks grow thru out there lives.

Plus it's also not only possible but likely that the shark will grow about that "average".

Often times is captivity Sandbar(Brown) sharks are known to grow to 7' or even 8'. And for the record - Sandbar sharks have almost exactly the same size range as Gray Reefs have.

So plan on a shark that's at least 7-8' long - not 6', and will likely weight about 150-250 lbs. So we're talking about a very big fish.

BTW - we aren't venting - we're attempt to give good solid answers & help to inform.

[zoanthid2009]

so how big is the pond?

[thor32766]

pics of the pond would be sweet.

[andbigdaddy2]

What about a round tank like in Big Als or at Cocoa Beach Surf Shop if his pond is round the shark can swim forever with no problems.

[TheSaltwaterGuy]

Oh woops, had no idea they get to be 8ft. Thought they only reached about 5.5-6.

[cuda6872]

your not gonna tell your wife you put dolphins in the pond for her to swimm with are you?

[krj-1168]

What about a round tank like in Big Als or at Cocoa Beach Surf Shop if his pond is round the shark can swim forever with no problems.

Still with a 7-8 ft requiem shark - even a large swimming pool that's 30ft in diameter would be a bit "small". And your talking about 21,000 gallons.

For a 7-8 ft reef shark you would need a tank/lagoon that's about 45-50,000 gallons to be adquate.

[cougaraug]

I just wanna see the pond!!!

[andbigdaddy2]

If he went with blacktip Reef Sharks he would be fine with a 6000 gallon pool it would take one heck of a filtration system but its doable. It can be done.

[cuda6872]

A local fish store here in Cincinnati "Aquatics & Exotics" has a 10,000 gallon shark tank with 2 black tips that are about 4'. After a little while of watching them you realize that 10k is small for these guys.

[krj-1168]

If he went with blacktip Reef Sharks he would be fine with a 6000 gallon pool it would take one heck of a filtration system but its doable. It can be done.

For a few years - yes it's possible. For the shark's entire life - No Way.

To keep a single Blacktip reef for it's entire life (about 12-15 years) you would need a shark lagoon at least the size of good-size swimming pool - about 20,000 gallons.

[55semireef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10108874#post10108874 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by alex656
Well, if you are going to go down that road, how big is big enough for any fish? What about Clown fish? How do you think they feel being pinned up in a 40 Gal? If you put if all in prospective....any fish you get will be cooped up in a tank compared to where they come from....the ocean. But those sharks do require a huge pond atleast....

If given an anemone, clownfish will stay by their anemone and ususally will never leave it so tank size with clownfish vs. sharks isn't a very good comparison.

This is not really much of a debate except for where each of us would draw the line. I think a 30,000 gallon pool would be minimally sufficient. Really, though, these numbers are pretty arbitrary without considering the dimensions of the pool itself. I'll bet that there are 20,000 gallon pools and 30,000 gallon pools with the same length and width just different heights approximately. As most people know, added height will be of much benefit. I do wonder, sometimes, how someone comes to the conclusion that a 20,000 gallon will not work while a 30,000 gallon is acceptable. Is that extra 10,000 gallons really going to make that much of a difference to the shark after being caught from the ocean? And how do we know that is where to draw the line?


Just my 2 cents

[krj-1168]

Well you do have some a points about tank depth - and clowns vs. sharks.

There's isn't a big difference between 20,000 & 30,000 gallons - if the extra 10,000 is just about adding depth.

But therer are formulas that work for figuring a good size tank for sharks. But it depend on several factors like what type of shark - benthic(bottom-dwelling) or swimming. Or it the shark a deep water or shallow water species. Or even whom you ask.

For example - in his Book "Aquarium Sharks & Rays" - Scott Michael gives the figures for figuring a tank for swimming sharks of Tank length = 4-5 times the shark's maximum length x a tank width of 1.5 x the shark's maximum length. While Jeffrey Anderson in his 2005 article for TFH magazine entitled "Shark Aquarium Ethics" - stats for swimming sharks(ORV) - a tank should be at least 3 x shark's maximum length and have a tank width of 2.2 x shark maximum length.

Using the best of both of these figures - you would end up a minimum tank length of 4-5 times the shark's maximum length, and a width of at least 2.2 times shark's maximum length.

But many Public Aquariums - a different set of figures for figuring out the size of their shark tanks.
The common numbers seem to be for active swimming sharks - figured on the largest species in the tank naturally - Tank length = 6.5 times the largest species maximum length, with a Tank Width = to about 3 times the maximum size of the largest species.
The Depth of tank varies according to the species involved - but ranges from .8 to 1.8 times the maximum length of the largest species.

[55semireef]

Well I know we are not talking about benthic sharks, we are talking about a pelagic shark. Honestly, I would hate to put a shark of such potential size in a swimming pool. It's really not fair to such a creature who has millions of years of evolution behind it.

That's just me though and I am sure there are others that would agree.

[krj-1168]

Well I know we are not talking about benthic sharks, we are talking about a pelagic shark. Honestly, I would hate to put a shark of such potential size in a swimming pool. It's really not fair to such a creature who has millions of years of evolution behind it.

Well some species of swimming sharks actually do fine in shallow water. So it really depend on it the shark is a truely pelagic species or a shark that lives in fairly shallow water.

Bonnetheads & Sharpnoses are known for living & hunting in the surf zone. And young Blacktip reef pups have been found in water that's less than 2' deep. In the wild adult Blacktip reefs are often seen in water as shallow as 1-2 meters(3.3'-6.6') deep.

An inground swimming pool (with a shallow end of 3.5' deep, and a deep end of 6-8') should be okay for for a private individual planning on keeping a Blacktip reef. But only a inground pool with a deep end and a shallow end. The above ground pools are better suited for Blacktip Reef pups or other species like Bonnetheads & Smoothhounds.

But a shark like the gray reef would absolutely need a Public Aquarium due to it's needing a water depth greater than 10'.

[55semireef]

But a shark like the gray reef would absolutely need a Public Aquarium due to it's needing a water depth greater than 10'.

Exactly my point. ;)

[dwd5813]

to the OP, i just looked at your thread about your pond and it is too small to house grey reef sharks. corner to corner that fish would smack into a wall with a single wave of its tail. sorry, pick another fish in my opinion

[krj-1168]

to the OP, i just looked at your thread about your pond and it is too small to house grey reef sharks. corner to corner that fish would smack into a wall with a single wave of its tail. sorry, pick another fish in my opinion

Yeah - that's the point we've been making the whole time.

The simple fact is the Grey Reef is ill-suited for any private aquarium - unless of course you can afford to build and up keep a 250,000 gallon shark tank. But since most us can't afford to even build a tank that large - there's virtually no chance of keeping this
shark.

[55semireef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10215924#post10215924 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by krj-1168
Yeah - that's the point we've been making the whole time.

The simple fact is the Grey Reef is ill-suited for any private aquarium - unless of course you can afford to build and up keep a 250,000 gallon shark tank. But since most us can't afford to even build a tank that large - there's virtually no chance of keeping this
shark.

Did you mean 25,000 gallon shark tank or did you actually mean 250,000 gallon shark tank?

[dwd5813]

Hey, nothin wrong with a quarter million gallon tank.:D

[krj-1168]

I said 250,000 gallon shark tank. So yes I mean a tank that's at least a Quarter Million Gallons.

I also said that it's possible to keep a 7-8' shark in a 45,000-50,000 gallon pond. But for that pond to work with a shark of that size, the species of shark would have to actually like shallow water of about 6' deep.

But if you look at the habitat the Grey Reef prefers - it's generally consider to be an outer reef shark, which means it prefers deeper water than Blacktip or Whitetip reefs.

A good size tank for the Grey reef shark would be something like a 52' (15.8 meters) diameter x 16' deep (4.9 meters). Or about 250,000 gallons.

[55semireef]

I don't know anyone who would setup a 250,000 gallon shark tank just for one species...

Why not just go snorkeling for free instead and take your chances...:D