The Whitetip Reef Shark's scientific name is Triaenodon obesus. It is a species of requiem shark, family Carcharhinidae, andis the only member of its genus. Unlike most other requiem sharks, the whitetip does not have to keep moving in order to pump water through its gills. Because of this they usually spend the day in shelters or caves waiting to hunt for food during the night. Although some reports say this shark can reach up to 2.1 meters (6.9 ft.) it is probably more likely that they reach about 1.6 m (5.2 ft). Even so, the size of this shark puts it out reach of normal aquarists. They can often be seen in larger public aquariums. The whitetip reef shark can be found in the entire Indo-Pacific region as well as the Red Sea. Whitetip reef sharks are only aggressive towards humans on rare occasions, though they are curious and may investigate swimmers closely.
This video was incredible! It shows the birth of a Bamboo Shark, the juvenile stage then the adult coloration. What was very interesting is how the Bamboo Shark, while still in it's egg will react when a predator is near! The Bamboo Shark, while needing a large tank, is a great pet. Please do not think you can make this a freshwater fish, since this will slowly kill it over time. Let's keep are cool Bamboo Sharks alive and well, since we are the ones that bought it, we need to be the ones to care for it properly.
The video features excerpts from the 'Sharkwater: The Truth Will Surface' movie (dir. Rob Stewart)
The Bluewspotted Ribbontail Ray, as it is also called, will grow a total of 28" including the tail! The body will grow to just under 12" and this ray will need a tank that is beyond most aquarists reach. A tank that is over 300 gallons is needed to help them feel comfortable, along with a sandy bottom and only a ledge to take refuge under. Use water that has no traces of copper or other contaminants that are typically found in tap water. Use reverse osmosis or deionized water. They are difficult to feed, and need live shrimp or marine worms to get them to start. This is for an advanced aquarist. The tail's spine can inflict a painful wound.
This stingray scored itself a yummy meal! The California Stingray, like other stingrays need a very large tank with a sandy bottom void of rocks and obstruction. They can become quite tame in captivity, however they need a tank that is at least 280 gallons to accommodate their 9" body and even longer tail! They need cooler tanks with temperatures from 54 to 72˚F for long term survival.
This video is just a beautiful example of how proper posturing and touch will allow interaction with a Great White Shark. (not our title, just copied) These large fish often ignore humans, unless they are feeding and are "sampling" the weird person-fish out of curiosity. Great Whites often bite surfers near where sea lions live, mistaking them for prey, however the sharks do not pursue and eat a human since they don't like how we taste. In a calm setting, a Great White can be interacted with if a person is calm, trained and it is NOT the shark's feeding time!
This adult is about 3 feet long, requiring a tank that is 300 gallons or more. They get along with any fish that they cannot swallow. Provide open space with a sandy bottom and a little bit of rock work with caves that have smooth edges, so they do not scrape themselves. They need cooler waters in the lower 70's and require 30% to 50% water changes every week due to their messy way of eating. They are actually easy to feed and will do well in a tank with a strong skimmer, a good sump to hold lots of live rock for filtration and clean water. Do not house with large angelfish that mistake their eyes for the LPS they eat, nor with aggressive fish that pick on these very still sharks.
This video shows the habitat these little juveniles prefer off the coast of La Jolla shores in California. These babies are not much bigger than an adult hand. The Horned Shark is actually easy to care for, however the tank should be 300 gallons and the water needs to be kept clean. The name comes from 2 horns on their back, one behind each of the dorsal fins. They are more brown as babies and their tank should have a soft sandy bed and smoothed out hiding places in rock or fake smooth caves or structures. The sump will contain the large amount of live rock you will need for good bacteria and filtration.
The Leopard Shark is a cold water shark that need temperatures between 58 and 68˚F. If kept in warmer water, they will only live to about two years old. If kept in a tank that is 1,000 gallons and it is kept cool, they are easy to feed and will live a long time and are expensive to keep. These sharks can reach 4 to 5 feed and require a sandy bottom and open space to swim. Avoid jagged rocks and live rock should be kept in the sump below to prevent scratches and cuts.
