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is keeping sharks as pets allowed?
Posted: Thu May 29, 2025 2:22 pm
by craftyx
is it legit to keep tawnie, blacktip, or sandbar sharks in a home tank? i was out on a bridge yesterday and caught a few tiny ones, ended up letting 'em go, but it got me thinking...
and let's be real, no one's breeding these species in captivity and we all know most reef fish are straight from the wild...
Re: is keeping sharks as pets allowed?
Posted: Thu May 29, 2025 3:56 pm
by Flynxter
I think some species in their family might be allowed, but it really depends on your location. To be honest, I'm not too familiar with shark laws. It's just a concern that comes to mind - would you really want to take that risk in your tank? It could potentially cause some serious damage. And then there's the issue of releasing it back into the wild - it might not adapt as well since it's gotten used to being fed easily.
Re: is keeping sharks as pets allowed?
Posted: Thu May 29, 2025 4:14 pm
by fin_troller
Don't sharks like that require a huge tank, like a small pool or something? I mean, they're meant to swim long distances, right? Keeping them in a regular tank would be like keeping a dog in a tiny box.
Re: is keeping sharks as pets allowed?
Posted: Thu May 29, 2025 4:22 pm
by flame9x
You could consider a cat shark or something similar, they're a more feasible option. As far as I know, they're legal in the US, but I'm sure there are some municipalities that have banned them. I've always thought it'd be cool to have a shark someday, but let's be realistic. Any shark that's constantly on the move needs a massive tank, we're talking thousands of gallons, and even then, it's probably better off in the ocean or a public aquarium.
Re: is keeping sharks as pets allowed?
Posted: Thu May 29, 2025 6:19 pm
by oceana4
If you're set on keeping one of these sharks as a pet, I'd recommend getting in touch with your local aquarium to see if they'd be willing to take it in once it outgrows your tank. Blacktips, for instance, can reach lengths of over 5 feet, and keeping them in a home aquarium would likely stunt their natural hunting instincts. A sea life centre would be the only ones with the space and resources to provide them with a suitable environment and feeding system.
It's worth noting that all sharks, not just certain species, need to keep moving to pass water over their gills. If you ever find yourself handling a shark, just remember to hold it upside down - this will temporarily knock it out until you return it to an upright position.
Re: is keeping sharks as pets allowed?
Posted: Thu May 29, 2025 8:06 pm
by talonix
I've always wanted a shark tank and asked my lfs to get some in for me but all they can supply is eggs as they adapt better to aquarium life. I know they're very hard to raise till they settle in, but it's worth it. A bamboo shark, for instance, needs a massive tank - at least 800lt all to itself.
Re: is keeping sharks as pets allowed?
Posted: Thu May 29, 2025 9:03 pm
by craftyx
Thanks for the info, guys. I had no idea about the whole hanging them upside down thing. I'm still thinking of getting a small shark someday. Just wondering, would a small shark eat an adult horseshoe crab or hardhead catfish?
Re: is keeping sharks as pets allowed?
Posted: Thu May 29, 2025 9:28 pm
by craftyx
I've got another question - what saltwater fish lays eggs that are like the size of small marbles and have a greenish color with grey in them? I recently got some live rock from my LPS and they always seem to throw in weird stuff. Last time it was some sort of conch flake, now it's this purple-colored live rock or conch flake - not really sure. They mentioned something about a frag, but it slipped my mind. Anyway, along with the live rock and frag, there was this fish egg. I've had the live rock for a couple of weeks now, but only found the egg yesterday. Does anyone know what species this egg might be? I can send a pic of it from my iPhone if someone wants to take a look.
Re: is keeping sharks as pets allowed?
Posted: Thu May 29, 2025 9:59 pm
by flame9x
oceana4 wrote: ↑Thu May 29, 2025 6:19 pm
If you're set on keeping one of these sharks as a pet, I'd recommend getting in touch with your local aquarium to see if they'd be willing to take it in once it outgrows your tank. Blacktips, for instance, can reach lengths of over 5 feet, and keeping them in a home aquarium would likely stunt their natural hunting instincts. A sea life centre would be the only ones with the space and resources to provide them with a suitable environment and feeding system.
It's worth noting that all sharks, not just certain species, need to keep moving to pass water over their gills. If you ever find yourself handling a shark, just remember to hold it upside down - this will temporarily knock it out until you return it to an upright position.
You're saying if it can stop then it's not a true shark? I disagree and a bamboo shark, which is a true shark, can rest on the ocean floor just like they do in aquaria. I think it's worth noting that some sharks can indeed stop moving and still breathe, as they have the ability to pump water past their gills.
For reference, bamboo sharks are classified as follows:
Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Subphylum Vertebrata
Class Chondrichthyes
Subclass Elasmobranchii
Superorder Euselachii
Order Orectolobiformes
Family Hemiscylliidae
Genus Chiloscyllium
Species Chiloscyllium punctatum
You can check the classification link for more info: http/
www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/Sing..._credRating=All
Re: is keeping sharks as pets allowed?
Posted: Thu May 29, 2025 11:27 pm
by flame9x
craftyx wrote: ↑Thu May 29, 2025 2:22 pm
is it legit to keep tawnie, blacktip, or sandbar sharks in a home tank? i was out on a bridge yesterday and caught a few tiny ones, ended up letting 'em go, but it got me thinking...
and let's be real, no one's breeding these species in captivity and we all know most reef fish are straight from the wild...
Don't hang it upside down, instead flip it onto its back in the water, so its belly's up. This puts them in a trance-like state. I'm not sure how long they can stay like this, and it's not exactly their natural behavior. Only do this if you really have to.