Let’s talk about sharks

[DEE’S reef]

So I’m new to saltwater had fish in my tank for a month or so and a lot of my family member who don’t know much about saltwater water told me to get a shark but I told them I don’t have a big enough tank and I want coral.
I’m considering maybe doing a tank for just a shark I’m thinking the

Northern Dwarf Wobbegong Shark​

What size tank and what tank set up for it and can I keep it with corals and should this be a species only tank?
Please let me know shark experts and those experienced with this shark or sharks with sharks in general.

 

[DEE’S reef]

Also. How do you quarantine sharks?

 

[DEE’S reef]

@DetroitReefClub you have experience with

Northern Dwarf Wobbegong Shark​

I seen your post about one.
Could you help me with the tank size and and set up and care for one of these sharks.

 

[IceNein]

That shark gets between 2.5 to 3 feet long. A much bigger tank than you can handle given that you have to ask that question. At a minimum for a rectangular tank you'd probably want something at least three times its length and one times it's length for its width. So like a 10 foot by 3 foot tank. So maybe like 500 gallons plus.

 

[DEE’S reef]

I saw one post where the recommended tanks 8ft by 3ft by 2ft minimum for some of the sharks so that wouldn’t work for this shark or should I look for a shark that could fit the tank size?

 

[Carcharodon]

I’ve never kept this species, but based on my observations they’re probably fine in a standard 360 (8x3), or perhaps even slightly smaller. Water volume and quality are going to be more important for these guys. For most keepers a pool or trough is a better and more cost effective setup.

My bigger caution is going to be the overall keeping experience. They’re very inactive, particularly if they’re well fed, and wobbies generally can be very aggressive. I also don’t recommend any tankmates that can be swallowed, which is more than you might think.

If you really do want a shark I recommend epaulette species and doing a ton of research before taking the dive.

Edit: one last thing - if your heart is set on a wobbie, make sure you’re certain of the species. These guys stay quite small at just over two feet, but there are others that regularly pop up and reach 6 feet.

 

[DEE’S reef]

So with your experience an epaulette is like a good beginner shark? Also can they be kept with corals?
And should you do bare bottom or sand and how should you rock scape it for sharks?

 

[DEE’S reef]

For the tank I have found one on facebook marketplace and it’s listed as 320 gallons 96 inch by 30 inch by 26 inch would this be fine for sharks or no something bigger.

 

[DEE’S reef]

Also what is the best beginner shark

 

[Carcharodon]

I think epaulettes are the best “pet” shark but it’s tough to call any shark a beginner species.

I’ve always had random soft corals in my tanks but I wouldn’t call them coral setups. I’ve always done sand bottoms as well, and eppies do like to dig around for worms and stuff.

Rock work should be sturdily mounted to the tank bottom to prevent shifting as the shark climbs around through it. I’ve always started with dead rock, started cycling and then added live rock to promote growth. I’ve only ever really kept sharks and eels with a few other random fish to fill out the water column.

Edit: re tank sizes, 320 gallons isn’t an issue, but the dimensions are. 8x4 is the smallest rectangle I’d go with. For a pool or rounded container a 6’ diameter is fine for eppies provided water volume is good.

 

[dedragon]

i dont think there is a "beginner shark". epaulettes are just smaller and not as active as cat sharks so they do better in smaller tanks. they still need a rather large setup

 

[DEE’S reef]

I’ve never kept this species, but based on my observations they’re probably fine in a standard 360 (8x3), or perhaps even slightly smaller. Water volume and quality are going to be more important for these guys. For most keepers a pool or trough is a better and more cost effective setup.

My bigger caution is going to be the overall keeping experience. They’re very inactive, particularly if they’re well fed, and wobbies generally can be very aggressive. I also don’t recommend any tankmates that can be swallowed, which is more than you might think.

If you really do want a shark I recommend epaulette species and doing a ton of research before taking the dive.

Edit: one last thing - if your heart is set on a wobbie, make sure you’re certain of the species. These guys stay quite small at just over two feet, but there are others that regularly pop up and reach 6 feet.

I know that the wobble shark that Detroit Reef company has is around 20 inches I don’t know exact species but I would like something like what they have but the one you said also looks.

 

[DEE’S reef]

I think epaulettes are the best “pet” shark but it’s tough to call any shark a beginner species.

I’ve always had random soft corals in my tanks but I wouldn’t call them coral setups. I’ve always done sand bottoms as well, and eppies do like to dig around for worms and stuff.

Rock work should be sturdily mounted to the tank bottom to prevent shifting as the shark climbs around through it. I’ve always started with dead rock, started cycling and then added live rock to promote growth. I’ve only ever really kept sharks and eels with a few other random fish to fill out the water column.

What fish do think could go with epaulettes?
Also for the rock structure should have like pillars or arches or caves it hard finding inspiration on tank set ups for sharks and what should the rock scape be like for them to be most comfortable with.

 

[dedragon]

Northern Dwarf Wobbegong Shark | Detroit Reef Club

Originally Imported by Detroit Reef Club as a special order in Fall 2023, this beautiful shark spent a couple months at our facility tank conditioning befor ...

detroitreefclub.com

assuming you saw this, but i would contact them to get all the info. im pretty sure they posted on the forum about this shark being available as well.
you being new to saltwater i really wouldnt suggest it, but probably best to just reach out to these guys if you wanted info on this species

 

[dedragon]

i see you actually reached out earlier. maybe also try their facebook and instagram as i dont see any contact info on their site

 

[Biokabe]

I'm with @dedragon. It's fine to research about sharks and dream about it, but if you've only had fish in your tank for a month you are nowhere near ready to actually keep a shark. They're a long-term commitment, very expensive to purchase, very expensive to own, and quite demanding in every sense of the word.

Keep with the hobby for at least a few years before deciding to actually get serious about owning a shark.

 

[DEE’S reef]

I'm with @dedragon. It's fine to research about sharks and dream about it, but if you've only had fish in your tank for a month you are nowhere near ready to actually keep a shark. They're a long-term commitment, very expensive to purchase, very expensive to own, and quite demanding in every sense of the word.

Keep with the hobby for at least a few years before deciding to actually get serious about owning a shark.

I understand what you say. I’m just doing research and really debating about if I want to do now while I’m still new and learning if I want to go shark route later or just a bigger tank later down the road for bigger fish.

 

[Carcharodon]

I second this. Finding reliable info about shark keeping can be a challenge, but I’d recommend reading everything you can find. Sharks & Rays by Scott Michael is a worthwhile read too even though it’s somewhat dated.

 

[BryanM]

sharks need room... Most people put them in too small of a tank.

Also, seems your experience level for sharks is not high, and at least from DEtroit, $2500... This is a rather pricy critter, I'd like to see more experience before someone went down this road.

 

[DEE’S reef]

That’s kinda of what I’m looking at I would probably buy a smaller shark for cheaper.