thinking of getting a shark can you tell me some good good books to get and some info

[sharkluvr]

Hi I have been nanoing for a year now all I have is one damsel and one clown. They are very happy in the tank but I feel that its time to get a bigger tank. I like the look of the lepord shark. I would like to know how big of a tank they need and I would also like to know what in your opinion is the best shark for a beggener to keep ( beggener in keeping sharks not beggener is salt water)
-molly

 

[guineawhop]

a leopard shark is definitely not a starter shark and you would have to have a HUUUUUGE tank. they get big and need lots of swimming room. thats why when you see them in aquariums they are in like 20-30 thousand gallon tanks. the starter sharks would be the banded cat shark aka bamboo shark or the epaulette shark. with these you need a minimum of 180 gallons but you should get larger. if you have 2 you need a 360 gallon and so on and so forth.

 

[unleashed]

any type shark you plan on keeping if you want him to be healthy and live a full life will require a 300 gal minimum tank.one thing to concider before purchasing a huge tank and a shark is if it does grow to be full size do you get bigger tank for him? can you afford a larger tank for it?if your answer is no to either one of these questions you realy should reconcider your thoughts about purchasing a shark.next if your answers were no to either of these question and you still think you should try .concider what your going to do with a 4ft+ size shark when you have no room for him anymore.most pet stores will not take them , they have no place for them either .most aquarium exibits will not take them either so what do you do with a shark that has outgrown your home.just food for thought..and yes I know exactly how you feel about this I have ben going through this same debate with my hubby for the last 2 yrs he gave up his fight when our local fish store told them if he buys a nice looking shark from them when it gets too big they cant take it back.