PLease Provide any and all info on the horn shark!
- Thread starter mike7587
- Start date
krj-1168
Member
Common Name: Californian Horn Shark Scientific Name: Heterodontus francisci Alias: Californian Bullhead, or Horn Shark Maximum Adult Size: Most sources claim it grows up to 4.0 ft(122 cm) in the wild. Although it very rarely exceeds 39.4"(100 cm) in length, in captivity.
Average Adult Size: actually average around 36"(92 cm) in length.
Maximum Adult Weight: about 22 lbs (10.0 kg) in captivity
Average Adult Weight: about 18 lbs (8.2 kg)
Size at birth: about 5.9-6.6 inches (15 -17 cm)
Size at Sexually Maturity: about 22-26 inches (56-66cm)
Age at Sexually Maturity: roughly 3.0 to 4.0 years (36-48 months)
Longevity of species: up to 20-25 years.
Geographical Distribution: found in the eastern Pacific, from Southern California to Gulf of California
Habitat: A very abundant small coastal warm-temperate to sub-tropical shark - found from surf zone to a depth of about 55 meters (180 ft). Also known to inhabit harbors, bays, & sounds.
Diet: mostly invertebrates - like urchins, shrimp, crabs, mollusks (i.e. clams, squid, or octopus), and segmented worms. Will also feed on small fishes.
Activity level: a very active during the night. But generally a fairly slow moving, and solitary species. These species like most of its genus is considered to be very hardy.
Personality: They are voracious feeders, but are basically harmless to humans.
Preferred Water Temperature: while often considered a cool water species, wild reports show that it is about to tolerate a board temperature range from 59-81 F (15-27 C). But the preferred range where they show the greatest population density is between - 64-75F (18-24 C).
Horn Sharks in Captivity: This species does very well in captivity, and is easier to acclimate than most species. These species has been known to breed in captivity. The species does will with some live rock decor. Although it does sometimes suffer from problem where the shark may lose it eyes - do either to aggressive tank mates - (like triggers, angels, puffers, or damsels), or to natural iodine levels in the water being to low. So these sharks need the water to be as close to Natural Sea Water as possible, especially iodine levels. And keep aggressive species out of its tank/pond.
Hope that helps some.
Average Adult Size: actually average around 36"(92 cm) in length.
Maximum Adult Weight: about 22 lbs (10.0 kg) in captivity
Average Adult Weight: about 18 lbs (8.2 kg)
Size at birth: about 5.9-6.6 inches (15 -17 cm)
Size at Sexually Maturity: about 22-26 inches (56-66cm)
Age at Sexually Maturity: roughly 3.0 to 4.0 years (36-48 months)
Longevity of species: up to 20-25 years.
Geographical Distribution: found in the eastern Pacific, from Southern California to Gulf of California
Habitat: A very abundant small coastal warm-temperate to sub-tropical shark - found from surf zone to a depth of about 55 meters (180 ft). Also known to inhabit harbors, bays, & sounds.
Diet: mostly invertebrates - like urchins, shrimp, crabs, mollusks (i.e. clams, squid, or octopus), and segmented worms. Will also feed on small fishes.
Activity level: a very active during the night. But generally a fairly slow moving, and solitary species. These species like most of its genus is considered to be very hardy.
Personality: They are voracious feeders, but are basically harmless to humans.
Preferred Water Temperature: while often considered a cool water species, wild reports show that it is about to tolerate a board temperature range from 59-81 F (15-27 C). But the preferred range where they show the greatest population density is between - 64-75F (18-24 C).
Horn Sharks in Captivity: This species does very well in captivity, and is easier to acclimate than most species. These species has been known to breed in captivity. The species does will with some live rock decor. Although it does sometimes suffer from problem where the shark may lose it eyes - do either to aggressive tank mates - (like triggers, angels, puffers, or damsels), or to natural iodine levels in the water being to low. So these sharks need the water to be as close to Natural Sea Water as possible, especially iodine levels. And keep aggressive species out of its tank/pond.
Hope that helps some.
krj-1168
Member
Well - with a 10' long x 5' wide x 1.5' deep tank - you should be able to keep an adult horn fairly easily for it's entire life span.
Although 2' deep is actually a little bit better, as horns are likely to make useage of the extra 6 inches in depth .
As for keeping 2 adult horns together in this tank. It's possible - although it may be a bit tight as full grown adults.
I heard of some people even keeping a pair of horns (each about 2' long at the time) & a whitespotted bamboo (about 2.5' at the time) together in a 360 gallon(8' x 3' x 2').
Although 2' deep is actually a little bit better, as horns are likely to make useage of the extra 6 inches in depth .
As for keeping 2 adult horns together in this tank. It's possible - although it may be a bit tight as full grown adults.
I heard of some people even keeping a pair of horns (each about 2' long at the time) & a whitespotted bamboo (about 2.5' at the time) together in a 360 gallon(8' x 3' x 2').
sebae09
Member
i say go for it, you will be able to tell if they are cramped, they wont have swimming room and when they do swim it will be very fast and frantic so you definately could tell if there was a problem. but seeing as your LFS gets them under 1 year old your probbly looking at a 12" shark tops, so they will be fine for a while.
maeistero
Active Member
they are sweeties, but don't do acrylic. they are really rough sandpaper-like texture and will scratch the living hell out of an expensive big tank in a month. it makes it hard as they need a curved tank. a really experienced woodworker can do this easily in a month or so for a pond/pool, but with glass they will be constantly stressed slamming into the corners.
reeftank27
Member
I would go with the tank...IMO ponds are cool but you can never see them from the side, only the tops. if you have the money then do it right.
krj-1168
Member
From the dimensions that Mike has given - he's looking a custom built tank.
If it's made of glass - he's looking at a price of at least $2,000-3,000 for the tank alone - if he has it built for him. More if it's acrylic. And that doesn't include sand, salt, filtration, LR, lights or stand.
Here's a question that any potential shark keeper should think about.
Is it worth the additional cost to you - so you can view your shark from the side?
Because it is going to cost more for that view.
For the price of a standard 480-500(8' x 4' x 2') gallon glass aquarium - you could build you own 1,000- 2,000 gallon shark pond, including sand, salt & filtration.
D.I.Y. will save you money.
If it's made of glass - he's looking at a price of at least $2,000-3,000 for the tank alone - if he has it built for him. More if it's acrylic. And that doesn't include sand, salt, filtration, LR, lights or stand.
Here's a question that any potential shark keeper should think about.
Is it worth the additional cost to you - so you can view your shark from the side?
Because it is going to cost more for that view.
For the price of a standard 480-500(8' x 4' x 2') gallon glass aquarium - you could build you own 1,000- 2,000 gallon shark pond, including sand, salt & filtration.
D.I.Y. will save you money.
krj-1168
Member
While the price is a excellent deal on an acrylic tank of that size.
Still for the same - $1,500, you could easily build your own pool that is twice that amount, including sand, salt, LR, and possible even, a sump, pump & a skimmer.
Generally for a 1,000 - 1,500 gallon D.I.Y. pond will cost about $500 to build it your self.
A large poly(polyethalene) pool that 8-9' in diameter(600-900 gallon) costs about a couple of hundred bucks.
Still for the same - $1,500, you could easily build your own pool that is twice that amount, including sand, salt, LR, and possible even, a sump, pump & a skimmer.
Generally for a 1,000 - 1,500 gallon D.I.Y. pond will cost about $500 to build it your self.
A large poly(polyethalene) pool that 8-9' in diameter(600-900 gallon) costs about a couple of hundred bucks.
krj-1168
Member
no problem - just trying to help you save some money.
Still there are other ways to help you save some money, even with an acrylic tank.
as in -
-Check ----, or other online auction sites for supplies like sumps, wet/dry filters , skimmers, pumps, even salt sand & LR.
You may end up paying about 50-60% of LFS prices - if your lucky enough.
- or D.I.Y. for sumps, sand filters, Biotowers & skimmers.
Still there are other ways to help you save some money, even with an acrylic tank.
as in -
-Check ----, or other online auction sites for supplies like sumps, wet/dry filters , skimmers, pumps, even salt sand & LR.
You may end up paying about 50-60% of LFS prices - if your lucky enough.
- or D.I.Y. for sumps, sand filters, Biotowers & skimmers.