Originally Posted by moby
Well,
Let me first say, I do not consider myself a shark "expert". However after many years of practical "hands on" experience with the commonly kept species, I am confident I can give reasonable sound advice on their requirements in the aquarium.
I have read Mr. Michael's book many times. With all due respect to him as a writer it is not necessarily the best 35 dollars I have ever spent. I also write for a living, and seldom will writers bash each other in a public forum. So I will keep my critique private.
He is a knowledgable man with some good points, however I too agree with the statement made as to the doubts concerning his actual dealings with these animals in the home aquarium. Specifically the size requirements needed to successfully keep them.
I fall back to my original statement, " Keeping fish alive is very different from them being kept successfully."
In the end, it is the responsibility of the hobbiest to do the research utilizing all available resources to check and recheck the facts and make an educated decision based on those facts and not the "I gotta have it" mindset.
Following this methodology of research ensures a higher probability of success for the animals and the hobby in general.
And as Forest Gump says,"Thats all I have to say about that."
Moby
Hey, Moby. I think you do make a few good points. The "I gotta have it mindset" is a sure way to get into trouble with this hobby. Also, the amount of information out there these days is incredible. Wish I had access to it when I was 1st starting with the hobby (sometime in the late 80's). Anyway, I've discussed the shark issue many times, as that's what I've been keeping all this time. Yes, there are limits to tank sizes, number of specimens, etc. However, I'm not big on discouraging folks either. IMO we often are too quick to say it can't be done or shouldn't be done. Of course, I understand why we do that. So many folks that are new to the hobby get the "I gotta have it mindset" with sharks. "Oh, I want to put a blacktip in my 75 gallon..." Right... Like you, I'm big on doing your homework and being responsible. IMO, there's no single recipe to success with sharks. However, Scott Michaels is a wonderful starting point (IMO). Sure, the min. tank sizes may be a bit liberal, but I think that a bunch of that depends on other variables. For example, how experienced the keeper is, filtration, etc. Anyway, I have (and always will) have a huge problem with posts that imply that the 180 gallon bamboo shark scenario is wrong, evil, cruel, etc. IMO, the same could be said for a yellow tang in a 75 gallon. When we starting moving away form productive and encouraging discourse, we just hurt the hobby... Just my opinion folks... never one to flame...