Some Tips for Keeping Sharks in an Aquarium

When you think of keeping sharks in a home aquarium, do you think of giant killer sharks that attack helpless swimmers? Well, lots of people raise sharks as pets, but they’re not like the ones you see in the movies. There are several small breeds of sharks that are more appropriate for your fish tank at home.

If you’re considering inviting a shark into your home, here are a few important tips to be aware of before you start to check out the pet stores.

1) Tank size. Be prepared to spend a large sum of money on an aquarium. Keeping a shark in your house will require a very large tank, and these don't come cheap. A single shark requires a 240 to 260 gallon tank. It will also have to be long, because sharks won't survive without some room to maneuver.

2) Tank weight. You should be aware that an aquarium that's suitable for a shark can weigh as much as a pickup truck. That means that you'll have to pay close attention to where you locate the tank within your home. Don't putt it upstairs because the weight of the tank will be too much for your floor to bear. Which means your shark might end up in the basement regardless. Your tank requires a sturdy concrete floor, several inches thick, to bear the weight of the aquarium.

3) Maintenance costs. Keeping sharks in your house isn't a cheap hobby. Just purchasing the shark and the right sized aquarium is an expensive proposition. On top of that, you'll require filters and other equipment for the tank, as well as the food that your sharks require. Remember, they're big; they'll eat a lot.

4) Attitude. You have to have the right frame of mind if you're going to raise sharks. It's not an easy task. Sharks need to be fed at least three times a day and the aquarium must be cleaned regularly.

You’ll need to do some research on the type of shark that's most suitable for you. The most common shark varieties for home aquariums are the Epaulette and the Bamboo. These creatures can grow to be about three to four feet in length. The Bullhead shark is another popular option, due to the characteristic ridges on the top of their heads.

Most shark owners take pleasure in raising them. However, it's important that you're completely committed to the undertaking. Taking care of sharks isn’t the same as having cats and dogs. They need a special environment that's well maintained in order to thrive. And you have to be very conscious of feeding them, because they can't let you know when they're hungry like other pets can.

Do your research and save up some money before you commit to bringing sharks into your home. Sharks are living creatures and shouldn't be made to suffer simply because their owner was unprepared for the responsibility of caring for them.