caves for sharks?

[ams153]

would a bamboo shark be fine without any caves b/c id rather be able to see it all the time.. but if its in a cave that kinda ruins it.. are caves for these sharks really beneficial for them or not so much?

 

[cartman101]

they should have a "dark" spot to stay to sleep and when scared. I would highly reccomend a cave for a shark.

 

[aw2]

Bamboo Sharks are primarily a nocturnal species and should be given rock work to hide in/under, when your lights are on, during the day.

 

[ams153]

well i have one piece in there that is about 35 maybe a little more pounds and its like a bi cave it shades the light but i can still see the shark is that ok? i also have a couple other rocks in there too but will the rocks cut up the sharks stomach at all?cuz the cave is very big but when it in it itd be laying on rock will this hurt it?

 

[aw2]

Anything with course, rough surfaces should be avoided with this species, including anything bigger than VERY fine grain sand.
Do you have pictures, to show what you're describing, so I could get a better idea of what you're working with?

 

[jcrim]

What size tank? 75 gallon?

 

[jcrim]

bump

 

[ams153]

the tank is actually 220 gallons it just finished its cycle and ill try to get pics tonight i doubt itll work with my terrible camera though but ill try

 

[jcrim]

Good to hear... let me call off the shark police. j/k
Your bamboo will hide under caves/rocks unless he's looking for food. If you want him more visible, I have a couple suggestions. Try stacking your rocks in one corner of the tank, leaving enough room around the side and back for him to get through. This way, even when the shark is resting, he will probably be visible from the side of the tank.
The other suggestion is to spot feed the shark small amounts several times per day. In your tank the shark will become active when he is looking for food. If he is eating during the day, this is when he will swim and hunt.

 

[aw2]

Very good ideas, given by jcrim.
They're most active at dawn and dusk, when they're hunting for food. But if you get it used to eating throughout the day and during daylight hours, he'll grow accustomed to it and start his active periods in the daytime, so you can watch him.

 

[ams153]

very cool and yea i havnt updated my profile yet with my bigger tank lol and ill do what your suggesting... i was supposed to get the shark egg today but the store had there shipment called off b/c it was a little to cold to have the fish shipped so itll be here tomorow instead im very excited...
now as far as tankmates go i do someday want to get a couple rays, but im a newbie to sharks as it is so i want to do it right and focus on the shark ive rushed before and dont want to again but my sandbed is pretty thick and i dont want nitrates getting trapped in it will the shark keep the sand stirred up enough or is there some kind of cool tank mate i can add with it to do that for me?
thanx for all the help so far
Sanchez
oh and my camera will not take pics of anything with glass and water its cheap lol im no photographer i do want to buy a better one soon b/c i do plan to get pics of this thing lol

 

[porschephd]

I actually have my rock organized in a few ways that I can see him resting. He is fairly active during the day but will swim around or should I say walk around starting at about 4 PM. He knows that is feeding time.
Tell you what, for a species that should avoid anything sharp he has no reservation pulling himself through the smallest holes when he thinks food MIGHT be there. The other thing you will find is that the minute the tank dips in levels the shark will show stress by blotches on the stomach. Everyday during feeding I look to make sure. He is like a warning system for the tank. He picks up the smallest changes.
Here is a question though, if the Epaulette and Bamboo spend 90% of their time under a rock how big should a tank be for them?

 

[jcrim]

As far as stirring up the sand bed and tankmates, I'd go with 1 stingray. More than one may be overcrowding. My shark and ray are very cool together... they almost "play" together and school in my tank. A ray will stir the surface of the sand bed very well and are also fun because they will learn to hand feed very easily.
BTW Porchephd... nice tank. Your epaullette is clearly a juvi but when it gets larger, you may want to clear some space in the tank and get rid of some of the decorations. Just my opinion.

 

[porschephd]

Thanks! I am new with the sharks so any advice is welcomed! I was told when I bought him he was 2 years old. Not true?

If not then as he grows I will move some things out of the way. I have also been thinking about building a larger tank.

 

[aw2]

Yeah...lol...definately gonna need a bigger tank as both of those will max out around 35" - 40". Your Ep. is gorgeous, and I'm glad you've had such good luck, but you're going to need something in the 300gal. range or bigger, especially if you're planning on keeping both.

 

[ams153]

very cool pics that shark looks very nice thanx for the advice i think ill get a ray then after the shark hatches sound good?

 

[ams153]

oh one more question lol how about flow how many power heads should i have i have two but i feel like i should have more.. should i?

 

[jcrim]

Just take a little time between additions. Also, for a little life in the tank, get a couple tangs eventually. They are great tankmates for the shark and ray.

 

[ams153]

awsome i like that i wanted some top swimmers so now im deff happy with it lol

 

[jcrim]

Originally Posted by ams153
oh one more question lol how about flow how many power heads should i have i have two but i feel like i should have more.. should i?
Most say you should have 10-20 x turnover per hour. If you are concerned about flow, consider an epaullette. They are distinct in that their natural environment consists of shallow areas with very little flow. They have adapted and can survive with very low oxygen levels in the water.