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A shark discussion
Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2025 5:02 am
by rixon
I'm thinkin of gettin a shark for my tank, what's the smallest one I can keep.
I've got a 450l tank, what shark species can thrive in it.
Re: A shark discussion
Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2025 6:11 am
by seafrog
You saying real shark, or like bala shark, cos that's a big difference.
Re: A shark discussion
Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2025 6:46 am
by ravensong
Pretty sure they're on about a real shark, given they're posting in the saltwater section. No idea on the answer, but hey, enjoy the free bump.
Re: A shark discussion
Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2025 7:06 am
by rixon
A real shark, yeah.
Will a bamboo shark work in a 450l tank?
Re: A shark discussion
Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2025 7:57 am
by flintek
Keeping sharks in home tanks just isn't right. Their swimming style is all about a few strokes and then gliding, but in a normal tank, they can't do that. They start gliding, and then they're already at the glass wall, having to stop. It's like living in a tiny apartment with no room to move. You could survive, but it wouldn't be a healthy life.
A fish like a clownfish is different, its wiggling style doesn't need much space. But a shark needs room to swim its way. Even people in prison get a yard to exercise, but a shark in a small tank is stuck without being able to use its favourite swimming style.
Re: A shark discussion
Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2025 8:41 am
by tigeron
If you're set on having a 'shark' in your tank, consider a Columbkento4 Cat Shark - they're actually catfish, but thrive in high-end brackish or marine environments, and are incredibly hardy. I've got two in my marine tank and everyone thinks they're real sharks - the way they move and their resemblance to black tip reef sharks is uncanny.
They're relatively easy to find, not too pricey, and when you see how stunning they look as adults, you'll be hooked - just be aware that photos don't do them justice, it's their movement that really sells the 'shark' illusion. They can grow up to 24 inches in the wild, but in home aquariums, they typically stay between 14-18 inches. I'm still baffled as to why they're not more popular in marine tanks.
Re: A shark discussion
Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2025 8:53 am
by flame9x
To keep a real shark, you're looking at a serious setup - think a large pool, not the kiddie kind, but the ones that are 4 feet deep. For most people, that's just not feasible. The expense alone is staggering - heating a massive pool of water, frequent and extensive water changes, the cost of feeding a shark, not to mention the filtration system required for such a large setup. It's simply out of reach for the vast majority of hobbyists.
Re: A shark discussion
Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2025 9:06 am
by fleeton
Yeah, you're looking at tanks in the thousands of gallons, minimum. Anything less and you're basically setting the shark up for a life of stress and discomfort.
Re: A shark discussion
Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2025 9:45 am
by zenoxa
tigeron wrote: ↑Tue Jul 29, 2025 8:41 am
If you're set on having a 'shark' in your tank, consider a Columbkento4 Cat Shark - they're actually catfish, but thrive in high-end brackish or marine environments, and are incredibly hardy. I've got two in my marine tank and everyone thinks they're real sharks - the way they move and their resemblance to black tip reef sharks is uncanny.
They're relatively easy to find, not too pricey, and when you see how stunning they look as adults, you'll be hooked - just be aware that photos don't do them justice, it's their movement that really sells the 'shark' illusion. They can grow up to 24 inches in the wild, but in home aquariums, they typically stay between 14-18 inches. I'm still baffled as to why they're not more popular in marine tanks.
I'd like to chime in on the Columbkento4 Cat Sharks - if we're talking about the same species, Arius seemani. I've had the pleasure of owning one, and I can confidently say they're amazing creatures. My current tanks are undergoing some renovations, but my last purchase was indeed one of these cat sharks. I'm really looking forward to seeing it grow and thrive.
Re: A shark discussion
Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2025 11:03 am
by ravensong
How large do Columbkento4 Cat Sharks typically grow to?