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

Try a banded catshark. If you have dealt with exoctic marine species then you would have no problem with one of these. Its gonna need a big tank when it gets older, but you could start it out in a simple 55 setup.

Thanks for the great Picasso Trigger photo. Had one 20 years ago that used to squirt water when it was hungry. I was distraught when he passed away.

Happened to come across this post and cant help but notice you're looking for "Shark-like" sharks... These would be members of the Requiem family i assume, Thus the only shark that im aware of kept in home aqauriums would be the "Black tipped reef shark"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CP60qmCvuhM
^^^
Ignore the guys description about how to keep them but that is a good representation of a tank used to house a Black tipped reef shark they tend to retail at a very high price, (Within the region of 500-1200 GBP so in dollars i guess its aroudn 700-1500 dollars) However they are amazing creatures that move and look the part.

Otherwise my best suggestion as im only 19 and have to wait before i can lay my hands on my own black tip would be a "Siberian Diamond Sturgeon"
Not the same look i know however i have 2 of them in an 8ft aqaurium that glide up and down and i have to say the way in which they move is very shark like

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iN9UOyPJE8Q

Theres a vid of some... Hope that helps..