Did you know that you could own a shark as a pet? This is possible because of the efforts of people like Dr. Mike Leahy of Dunedin, New Zealand and Dr. Yusuke Tanaka of Tsuruoka, Japan. They have made it possible for apex predators like sharks to be kept in captivity, though it does come with its own risks, dangers, and challenges.
Why would someone WANT to have a shark as a pet? Sure they can be dangerous and scary looking, but it seems like most people just want a cool pet to hang out with and to impress their friends.
Shark as a Pet
While you may think that owning a shark would be an exciting adventure, the reality is that it can be very dangerous. A shark is not a pet that should be taken lightly. Sharks are wild animals and they need to be respected just like any other wild animal.
If you love sharks and want one as a pet, then you must know what you are getting into before making the decision to get one. There are many things to consider when thinking about getting a shark as your pet.
There are many different types of sharks that could make good pets such as: Grey Reef Shark, Lamniformes Shark, Hammerhead Shark or even an Orectolobiformes Shark. Each of these types of sharks have their own unique personalities which means they will all act differently when they are kept in captivity.
For example: The Grey Reef Shark is known for being friendly towards humans but also very aggressive towards other sharks; however, if this same type of shark was put into an aquarium with another type of shark then it would become aggressive towards its tank mate because it does not know how to coexist with another species other than its own kind (Grey Reef).
Shark as a pet is not something that should be taken lightly. Sharks are some of the most dangerous animals in the world, and they must be treated with respect.
Sharks have been known to attack humans, and they will bite if provoked. They can’t be expected to understand that you are a friend. It’s important to always treat them with caution.
If you choose to keep a shark as a pet, make sure that it is kept in a large tank with plenty of space for swimming around. The tank should also be placed in an area where other people won’t be able to get close enough to bother the shark—for example, behind closed doors or in a separate room from other furniture so that no one gets accidentally bitten by accidently bumping into the tank during cleaning time (if this does happen then please seek medical attention immediately).
Also remember that sharks are not like cats or dogs—they cannot be trained like those types of pets so don’t expect any kind of obedience from them!
Shark As A Pet
Both the freshwater and saltwater hobby include fish called sharks. In freshwater, fish sold as “sharks” are usually more closely related to goldfish than real sharks. In the saltwater side of the hobby, true sharks are available for pets, but most true sharks are poorly suited to home aquariums. A few species of saltwater sharks can thrive under the careful care of experienced hobbyists.
Freshwater “Sharks”
Pet shops sell several freshwater species with “shark” in their common names. While several species of freshwater sharks exist, none of the fish that show up in the freshwater aquarium hobby are really sharks. Instead, carp and catfish with triangular dorsal fins are labeled shark fish. Still, these fish who superficially look like sharks can make a nice conversation pieces. Research the specific aquarium shark you want to keep, since they can range from a few inches to a tank-busting several feet as adults.
Aquarium
Saltwater sharks are among the most expensive and challenging aquarium fish. The first big expenses is that sharks need huge aquariums, several times their lengths. At minimum, the smallest true shark needs an aquarium of at least 100 gallons. Sharks require aquariums with rounded corners to prevent damage to their noses. Sharks also require pristine water with no heavy metal contamination. Shark tanks should contain a minimum of decorations to keep their inhabitants from injuring themselves.
Feeding
Feeding sharks requires special attention. Many sharks refuse food, especially when first introduced to captivity or after shipping. In order to get sharks to eat, you’ll have to spear some seafood on ridged aquarium tubing and wiggle the food near the shark to get his attention. Don’t move toward the shark with the food; let him come to you. Most species only need one or two feedings per week in aquariums.
Species
Of the hundreds of shark species, only a handful are suitable for captivity. Of these, only a handful can thrive in the absolute best home aquariums. Unless you want to spend hundreds of dollars on a chiller unit, you should stick to tropical species. The epaulette shark, bamboo shark and banded cat sharks all stay small, come from the tropics and adapt to captivity better than most sharks. Even these “easier” species still require the pinnacle of aquarium care to survive in the home aquarium.