krj-1168
Member
The ideal sharks for home aquariums are species of the Bamboo & Epaulettes, as well as the genus Heterodontus(Horn or Bullhead), and the Coral catsharks. What is the main critria to be considered an Ideal species for the Home Aquarium?
Basically a species that meets all of the following.
- Very hardy species (very tough health wise)
- any species that can can be kept for it entire live in a tank that is no greater than 1,000 gallons.
- Any species that can be kept in an aquarium with water temps in the normal range for aquariums(70-80F), and don't require special equipment - like a Chiller.
- any species that can be kept by an eduacated novice keeper.
There are 3 species of the Bamboo Sharks that are common in the U.S. These are as follows. All bamboo sharks are tropical species - preferring water temps between 74-82F. Most shark keepers consider these sharks to the perfect sharks for novice keepers - due to the fact that are general very good feeders(once they start feeding), and are generally very hardy.
The Brown-banded(C. punctatum) - these are the largest & most common of all bamboo sharks - and possible the shark, most commonly found in LFSs across the country. This shark is also known as the Banded cat shark, or banded bamboo. They can grow to 40", although they generally average about 36". While, most books & internet sources say that the Brown-banded needs at least a 180 gallon tank. The truth is this shark need a tank with a footprint of at least 7' long x 3.5' wide(or at least 270 gallons).
The White-spotted(C. plagiosum) is the 2nd most common species. They grow to about 36" in length. The species is a bit more aggressive & more voracious than the Brown-banded. This shark needs a footprint of at least 7' long x 3' wide(or at least 240 gallons).
The Grey-banded(C. griseum) is the rarier than the whitespotted or Brown-banded, but still fairly common in the North American trade. While this is the one of the smallest bamboo sharks available in the NA trade. They grow to about 2.5' in length. Still, this shark needs a tank with a footprint that is at 6' long x 2.5' wide(or at least 170 gallons).
There is only one species of epaulette that is commonly available in North America. That is the common Epaulette(H. ocellatum). They grow to 3.5' in length. And it is are the largest member of the entire family(bamboo/epaulette sharks). Some source claim this species can be kept in 180 or even 240 gallon tanks. But the truth is this shark requires a tank with a footprint at is no less than 8' long x 4' wide(or at least 320 gallons).
[hr]
The Horn/Bullhead genus(Heterodontus) is one of the oldest living genus of sharks - dating back about 150 million years. Presently this genus has 9 living species - only 2 members of this genus are available in the North American market. These are the Californian Horn & the australian Port Jackson's Sharks. Both species are very hardy, and are huskier than any member of the Bamboos/epaulettes family. While the 2 species found in the North American trade perfer cooler water temps than the Bamboos & epaulettes - they seem to prefer water temps in the upper 60's to upper 70's.
The Horn(H. francisci) is the most common species of the Horn/bullheads in North America, since this shark is native to the waters of southern California, and Baja California. These sharks rarely get above 38" in captivity, but they are huskier than the bamboos & epaulettes, and can weight up to 22lbs. While this species has often been called a "cold water" species - studies have shown that it seems to prefer water temps in the range of 67-75F. While these sharks are generally fairly docile in nature - they tend to be very voracious feeders. They are generally a long lived species - living up to 20 years in captivity. Juvenile Horns have been kept in tanks as small as 50 gallons, but really should moved to a much larger tank within the 1st year. They also require an aquarium with a footprint the same of as the Brown-banded Bamboo, 7' long x 3.5' wide(at least 320 gallons).
The Port Jackson's(H. portusjacksoni) is the giant of this genus. This species can grow up 5.5', but rarely grows larger than 4.5' in length. They are native to Australian waters. And seem to prefer water temps in the range of 65-77F. They are rarier in North America than the Horn. Their larger size makes them really suited better suited for a more experienced keeper. Or maybe as a second shark - if the keeper, has already kept the Horn as their first shark. Like the Horn & all sharks on this list - the Port Jackson can be kept in smaller aquariums as a juvenile - but moved to a larger tank as it grows. They require a tank with at least a 11' long x 5' wide footprint ( or at least 950 gallons).
more to come later.
Basically a species that meets all of the following.
- Very hardy species (very tough health wise)
- any species that can can be kept for it entire live in a tank that is no greater than 1,000 gallons.
- Any species that can be kept in an aquarium with water temps in the normal range for aquariums(70-80F), and don't require special equipment - like a Chiller.
- any species that can be kept by an eduacated novice keeper.
There are 3 species of the Bamboo Sharks that are common in the U.S. These are as follows. All bamboo sharks are tropical species - preferring water temps between 74-82F. Most shark keepers consider these sharks to the perfect sharks for novice keepers - due to the fact that are general very good feeders(once they start feeding), and are generally very hardy.
The Brown-banded(C. punctatum) - these are the largest & most common of all bamboo sharks - and possible the shark, most commonly found in LFSs across the country. This shark is also known as the Banded cat shark, or banded bamboo. They can grow to 40", although they generally average about 36". While, most books & internet sources say that the Brown-banded needs at least a 180 gallon tank. The truth is this shark need a tank with a footprint of at least 7' long x 3.5' wide(or at least 270 gallons).
The White-spotted(C. plagiosum) is the 2nd most common species. They grow to about 36" in length. The species is a bit more aggressive & more voracious than the Brown-banded. This shark needs a footprint of at least 7' long x 3' wide(or at least 240 gallons).
The Grey-banded(C. griseum) is the rarier than the whitespotted or Brown-banded, but still fairly common in the North American trade. While this is the one of the smallest bamboo sharks available in the NA trade. They grow to about 2.5' in length. Still, this shark needs a tank with a footprint that is at 6' long x 2.5' wide(or at least 170 gallons).
There is only one species of epaulette that is commonly available in North America. That is the common Epaulette(H. ocellatum). They grow to 3.5' in length. And it is are the largest member of the entire family(bamboo/epaulette sharks). Some source claim this species can be kept in 180 or even 240 gallon tanks. But the truth is this shark requires a tank with a footprint at is no less than 8' long x 4' wide(or at least 320 gallons).
[hr]
The Horn/Bullhead genus(Heterodontus) is one of the oldest living genus of sharks - dating back about 150 million years. Presently this genus has 9 living species - only 2 members of this genus are available in the North American market. These are the Californian Horn & the australian Port Jackson's Sharks. Both species are very hardy, and are huskier than any member of the Bamboos/epaulettes family. While the 2 species found in the North American trade perfer cooler water temps than the Bamboos & epaulettes - they seem to prefer water temps in the upper 60's to upper 70's.
The Horn(H. francisci) is the most common species of the Horn/bullheads in North America, since this shark is native to the waters of southern California, and Baja California. These sharks rarely get above 38" in captivity, but they are huskier than the bamboos & epaulettes, and can weight up to 22lbs. While this species has often been called a "cold water" species - studies have shown that it seems to prefer water temps in the range of 67-75F. While these sharks are generally fairly docile in nature - they tend to be very voracious feeders. They are generally a long lived species - living up to 20 years in captivity. Juvenile Horns have been kept in tanks as small as 50 gallons, but really should moved to a much larger tank within the 1st year. They also require an aquarium with a footprint the same of as the Brown-banded Bamboo, 7' long x 3.5' wide(at least 320 gallons).
The Port Jackson's(H. portusjacksoni) is the giant of this genus. This species can grow up 5.5', but rarely grows larger than 4.5' in length. They are native to Australian waters. And seem to prefer water temps in the range of 65-77F. They are rarier in North America than the Horn. Their larger size makes them really suited better suited for a more experienced keeper. Or maybe as a second shark - if the keeper, has already kept the Horn as their first shark. Like the Horn & all sharks on this list - the Port Jackson can be kept in smaller aquariums as a juvenile - but moved to a larger tank as it grows. They require a tank with at least a 11' long x 5' wide footprint ( or at least 950 gallons).
more to come later.
