Keeping sharks in a home aquarium

I think you mean the Bala Shark, I kept em with guppies and they were pretty tame (but they weren't full grown).

If you're ever down here boomer, you can't miss the shark exhibit at the
Scripps Institute of Oceanography
http://aquarium.ucsd.edu/Plan_a_Visit/Top_Ten_Reasons_to_Visit/

or at Seaworld where you enter the shark tube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LMiYmYJydNg&feature=related
http://www.seaworld.com/sitepage.aspx?PageID=431

Look into the epaulette sharks. They are best suited for the size tank you are considering.

was that what you posted a photo of?
Because if so, that is not the fish I am thinking of..

I posted a link to the Bala Shark image search and a photo of the red-finned shark.

Here's the Bala:

Yeah, I just double checked your other post and that isnt the fish I am thinking of.

the one I am thinking of is quite pricey (50.00 compared to the Bala about 5.00-7.00) and is a bit of a novelty type fish. Though I dont -think- shark is in its name at all. I just tried googling some fresh water shark like fish photos and did not see it.

i will be going back to the shop this weekend. Now, I will definitely take my camera as I am stumped as to what this fish is.

Nothing like the sharks.. but what about fresh water piranhas ?

Come on, the kid likes sharks. Don't steer him towards a wussy freshwater fugazi!

Well if it's a shark he wants it's a shark he wants. No way around that. The Epaulette is a good recommendation for home aquariums but I don't think it's very "shark-like" either:



I remember being disappointed in these kind of sharks as a kid, they don't have the pointy nose! I don't know of any stereotypically "sharky" sharks that would be a good fit though...

Mo is home from school now and, as usual, he is drawing shark picutres -- the great white, the thresher, the megaladon, the short fin mako. Then it was my turn. I don't draw very good sharks so I went with an easy one -- the basking shark. I hardly had the mouth drawn when he guessed what it was. Then he asked me to draw a sand tiger shark and I told him I didn't know how. "Uh mom. It's the one with the little barbs on it's fins....."

Anyway, he drew it for me and I looked it up and he is right.

Then he drew a Port Jackson shark and a goblin shark and a great hammerhead.

I buy him big drawing pads and he draws shark after shark after shark.

I might be able to get away with a less than shark looking shark since he knows more about what sharks are supposed to look like than most kids and certainly more than I do.

Did you know a zebra bullhead shark has remained unchanged for 200 million years? Mo knows.

I'll look into that shark, Mr. Emperor!

Excellent option for you, I think. I remember being fascinated with them as a kid. There is really no comparing them to freshwater fish. They are actual sharks! Good luck and have fun. Let us know what you decide on

I showed Mo that picture and he said he thought it looked like a Port Jackson shark:



The head shape is very similar.

CJane, I would love to bring him to see both of those places! The Scripps Institute looks amazing!

We're driving down to Santa Barbara tomorrow for a couple of days. I really wish we could head on down.....

Thank you all so much for your ideas and information. I really apprecite it - you have saved me hours and hours of research. I love having a starting point like this to launch from.

Thanks again!

You should get a bala shark. Its not a real shark its a large minow but it looks just like one. It doesn't cost as much and its easy to care for.

I have looking into getting a shark as well, right now doing some research in the Atlantic sharpnose (http://new-brunswick.net/new-brunswick/sharks/species/sharpnose.html), Not sure if a 200gal will work or not yet. Since I have 6 more months on my deployment, I have time before I do this. Good luck.
armyjeep69