Shark in Reef Tank

[IntrinsicReef]

they get to 2.5-3ft long, and from what I've read a minimum of a 12 foot reef tank is required...Even then, at 2 feet, I'd want a 4ft wide tank to give him room to turn, etc.

I'm really just not a fan of sharks in reef tanks, almost every instance I've seen it will be in a tank that is too small.

I wanted one, as well as a ray, and I just don't have the room to support a reef tank big enough for these guys.

Yeah, I get it. I went with the smallest and most sedentary species I could find to fulfill my client's request. If it was a 2ft wide tank, I wouldn't have done it. But 8'x3' with an almost completely open sand bed seems like it can keep a banded Cat Shark healthy for many years.

 

[IntrinsicReef]

Here is a growth update on the shark in my client's reef tank. He has grown some but not super fast. He stays full of krill, scallops, shrimp. He really likes the carnivore recipe from Rod's Reef. He digs pits in the sand which is messy, but is mostly sedentary except for feeding time. He definitely associates people with food, like most pets.

 

[shawnycool319]

I know, I know. A few corals barely qualifies as a reef tank. But this shark has grown on me. He swims out and greets me when I work on the tank. I added him six months ago, and so far the only casualties are a pair of clowfish.



He came from Dr. Reef and has done great. I cringed a bit when my client requested a shark, but now I look forward to seeing and feeding him. He does dig the sand out like crazy.

Sounds like your shark has really become the star of the tank! lol

 

[IntrinsicReef]

Sounds like your shark has really become the star of the tank! lol

He is my client's favorite fish. He is often chilling under the rock caves so guests don't even realize he is in the tank until pointed out. He knows the people who feed him ( me and the owners) and swims around when it's feeding time.

 

[Zach136378]

he is sick how do you get him to not ram into your corals my epullate keeps on knocking over my tort acro do you just use as much glue as possible

 

[IntrinsicReef]

he is sick how do you get him to not ram into your corals my epullate keeps on knocking over my tort acro do you just use as much glue as possible

The rocks are mounted on
CaribSea Create-a-Scape LifeRock Base Rock and rods. Any loose rocks he bulldozes around. Epoxy isn't strong enough as he has separated every rock I've eepoxied. Check out tutorials on drilling and mounting rocks, or using something like the Carib sea system