No matter how much you've developed your aquarium, shark ownership may sound intimidating to you. Nevertheless, a shark is often an intriguing and unique addition to your fish tank. Get off to a good start by being familiar with the answers to the most commonly asked questions about caring for sharks.

Common Questions About Keeping Sharks in Your Aquarium

1. What kinds of sharks are suitable for home aquariums?

Depending on the size of your fish tank, there are several options available. Most catsharks and bamboo sharks grow to be two to three feet long, so they're fine for 180-gallon tanks. Acceptable choices for 500-gallon tanks include brown-banded bamboo sharks, epaulette sharks, wobbegongs, and horned sharks, which can grow up to 42 inches. Anything larger, like blacktips or whitetips, need 1,000 gallon-tanks to accommodate their four- to five-foot lengths.

2. What does a shark need?

To practice responsible shark ownership, your aquarium must perfectly meet the shark’s sensitive needs. The tank needs sand and live rocks at the bottom, and set it up for a filtration rate of six cycles per hour. Before placing the shark inside, run a full six-month nitrogen cycle. You’ll have to perform water testing weekly to ensure there’s no nitrite in the water. Sharks must eat live saltwater fish, shrimp, crabs, or squid at least two or three times a week. They produce a lot of waste, so you’ll need trickle and canister filters.

3. How do you help a shark acclimate?

You must introduce the shark gradually to the tank to avoid infecting or killing it with shock. Dispose of the water in its box until there’s just enough left to cover its gills. Next, transfer water from the tank to the box using an air hose. Once the water in the box is at its original level, remove half of it again, replacing it with more tank water. After doing this one more time, your shark should be ready to move into the tank.

4. How long can a shark live?

A healthy shark can live in your fish tank for at least 12 to 25 years. Sick sharks keep their fins pulled close to their bodies, and fungal infections will show up as blemishes on their skin. If necessary, contact an aquarium veterinarian for help. Alternatively, turn to resources like the Aquatic Community or Shark and Ray Central for advice from fellow shark ownership enthusiasts about what to do to keep your shark in good shape.

If you’re ready to take your aquarium hobby in Dayton or Cincinnati to a new level with shark ownership, contact Gerber's Tropical Fish. With an expert staff boasting more than 100 years of combined experience maintaining over 600 tanks filled with tropical fish that are fed quality meals four to five times a day, you’ll easily find a shark that will fit in well with your aquarium. Ask them what’s available by calling (937) 297-0515 or messaging them online.