Juvenile Banded shark help

7duster3

7duster3

Member
I have a juvenile (maybe 7 or 8 inches) banded shark that is a newcomer to my tank and has not eaten or moved for some time. I do understand that sharks binge feed from time to time and also know that that species is a pretty lazy and boring fish. I did notice today that his underside was red in color and looks as if he is bleeding internally. Can anyone help me out?? I doubt this is normal and don't know how i can fix it.
thanks, Bryce
 
redman1221

redman1221

Member
Originally Posted by 7duster3
http:///forum/post/2589794
I have a juvenile (maybe 7 or 8 inches) banded shark that is a newcomer to my tank and has not eaten or moved for some time. I do understand that sharks binge feed from time to time and also know that that species is a pretty lazy and boring fish. I did notice today that his underside was red in color and looks as if he is bleeding internally. Can anyone help me out?? I doubt this is normal and don't know how i can fix it.
thanks, Bryce

And how long have you had this shark, what are you trying to feed him or her. I would go to your LFS and see if they have anything for your shark, what other fish do you have in the tank.
 
aw2x3

aw2x3

Active Member
The redness on the underside is due to irritation, from the substrate.
How do you know it's bleeding internally? What physical symptons are shown?
As other have said...check your water specs.
And, to entice feeding, try Garlic Guard...your LFS should carry it.
 
cafero702

cafero702

Member
i dunno about the feeding but the redness on its stomace is probably from your sand. sharks need that really really find sand. Like the powder almost white fine sand. i would maybe suggest putting a bag or 2 in the sand bed you could probably get away with just trying to add it as a top layer for him/her. Instead of removing your sand bed and adding a whole new one. Did you try feeding him/her live food yet??
 
7duster3

7duster3

Member
thanks for the speedy replies,
first off, its a 60 gallon reef tank with 20 gallon sump under, 1 rio 2100 pump and 2 rio 400 powerheads, with a bunch of bio balls, 15 lbs of Fiji live rock, 3 damsels, (2 black white 1 blue) 1 California Sting ray about 4 inches across 6 inches from tip to tip, my banded shark, and 1 21' Bamboo shark. All of my water levels seem to be ok, (salt, ph, nitrate, ammonia). I have 0 grade sand, the finest the lfs supplied. To acclimate the shark i had it in its original bag for 2 hrs at the top of the tank. I don't know if it is bleeding, thats just what it appeared to look like, its only from its mouth to its gills. As far as physical symptoms go, it hasn't really shown any other then it laying at the bottom of the tank with no movement other then its gills. My other fish seem to be doing ok (routine eating and movement) when the other shark or sting ray bumps it, my shark does nothing. its almost as if he is dead. he did swim away on his own when i got close to him with glass cleaner. I will check tomorrow for garlic guard at my lfs.
I got both sharks this past Monday.
I appreciate the replies, this is my first salt water tank among many freshwater tanks. I know sharks are not for beginners but i am learning as i go and seem to be doing ok.
Btw: i feed all 3 of them live ghost shrimp about 5 or 6 each at a time.
 
rad

rad

Member
to put this nicely, and Im about as liberal as they come with in reason on this topic, but your tank has three critters that are way to big/get way to big for it. that is assuming that they dont die before they do. did you tell your LFS that you had a 60 gallon tank? if so then I would not go back to that one if you have the choice because you got taken. fo sho.
to the topic at hand, stick a chunk piece of squid on the end of a wooden kabob stick and move it in the sand in front of your shark. try to do this to a station so you can later just put pieces of meat/shrimp in the sand for them to eat instead of using the stick. that, and use garlic extreme. I like it three times as much as garlic guard, bad part is that it costs twice as much but it'll last you four times as long.
 
K

kikithemermaid

Guest
60 gallon is very very small. Are you planning on upgrading?
 
7duster3

7duster3

Member
haha, thanks for easing up on me, i knew it was coming. I bought the tank and the sharks off of my lfs lol.I figured that i was ok for a little while as the tank i have is bigger then the one that the lfs had them in. I know that they are going to get to big for my tank. i do have plans for a bigger tank in the future. I will try the stick/squid thing in the morning. Thanks for your help.
 
rad

rad

Member
its best to try and feed the shark 20 minutes after you turn off your light. put a little garlic in the food and in the tank.
 
brenden

brenden

Member
At 21" the one Bamboo has already outgrown a 60 gallon tank, I think you should do the proper thing and return the Stingray, and both Bamboos. You should not add a elasmobranch to a tank unless it has been cycling for atleast 3-4 months.
 
crimzy

crimzy

Active Member
Let's not forget that you have a reef, which means corals, which in many cases will mean corals that sting sharks and rays as they swim through. This could also be causing the irritation on the shark.
Not trying to be too hard on you but honestly, there is nothing about your setup that is even remotely appropriate for these animals. Your tank is set up to look cool for a couple of weeks until the fish die off. If you are looking to have long term success with this hobby then you should approach your choices in a more responsible way.
JMO
 
crashbandicoot

crashbandicoot

Active Member
Originally Posted by Brenden
http:///forum/post/2592028
At 21" the one Bamboo has already outgrown a 60 gallon tank, I think you should do the proper thing and return the Stingray, and both Bamboos. You should not add a elasmobranch to a tank unless it has been cycling for atleast 3-4 months.
Agreed . You realy should have a tank of no less than 300 gallons to properly house the sharks and ray . You should also think about finding a new store because the one you are going to now does not have your best interests in mind / or the fish.
 
clown4life

clown4life

Member
I like your shark I just bought an egg the other day. I know they need a lot of care and will take about two months to hatch.
 
blownz281

blownz281

Member
I have hatched several of these sharks from eggs and several ate the next day and others took longer. you can get away with one living in a 155gal,but they need bigger tanks. they do like to swim around alot as well. mine would swim all around at night since they are day sleepers for the most part. they need perfect water. no tap water. they need a good varity of different foods to eat and need vitamins in there food and garlic soaked in there food is good also. as said they need sand that is like sugar very small and soft. they are prone to bacterial problems, flaring of glands in there throat causing eating problems,(like a soar throat for us) .
 
aw2x3

aw2x3

Active Member
I had no idea we were talking about a 60 gal tank, let alone a pup and one that's over 20" long. That's quite rediculous (putting it mildly). I can only imagine the problems that 21 incher has even turning around, in that tank.
If neither one of them die, which is almost guaranteed, you're looking at full growth in 18 months. If you're not planning on dropping a few grand (at least) for a 300gal (or bigger) tank in that time, you need to do the right thing and find these animals a suitable home.
 
K

kikithemermaid

Guest
Originally Posted by crimzy
http:///forum/post/2592050
Not trying to be too hard on you but honestly, there is nothing about your setup that is even remotely appropriate for these animals. Your tank is set up to look cool for a couple of weeks until the fish die off. If you are looking to have long term success with this hobby then you should approach your choices in a more responsible way.
JMO
I completely agree.

Originally Posted by Clown4Life
http:///forum/post/2592226
I like your shark I just bought an egg the other day. I know they need a lot of care and will take about two months to hatch.
How big is your tank, and what kind of shark?
 
sepulatian

sepulatian

Moderator
Originally Posted by AW2x3
http:///forum/post/2592723
I had no idea we were talking about a 60 gal tank, let alone a pup and one that's over 20" long. That's quite rediculous (putting it mildly). I can only imagine the problems that 21 incher has even turning around, in that tank.
If neither one of them die, which is almost guaranteed, you're looking at full growth in 18 months. If you're not planning on dropping a few grand (at least) for a 300gal (or bigger) tank in that time, you need to do the right thing and find these animals a suitable home.
100% correct. You cannot keep these fish in your current set up. Do the right thing and take them back to the LFS.
 
krj-1168

krj-1168

Member
Ok - I agree that while a 60 gallon tank can be used for a brief period of a juvie shark or ray. It shouldn't be used to keep 3 elasmobranchs - no matter what the size. And certainly not a shark that's 21" long.
Also California Stingrays and Bamboo Sharks - don't really mix. Cali Stingrays do best in water temps under 72F - Bamboo Sharks do best in water temps above 72F.
As for the red belly - While it can be a sign of rough substrate. It's also a sign of physical problems such as a parasite infection - or even a high Nitrogen level. And Note - the Nitrate/Nitrite/Ammonia levels that may be ok for most marine fish - can be harmful or potentially life threating with sharks & rays.
 
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