Many aquarium enthusiasts are fascinated by the idea of owning a shark as a pet. However, not all shark species can thrive in a home aquarium setting. Keeping the wrong type of shark is problematic for the health and safety of the owner as well as the well-being of the shark.
If an inappropriate shark species is kept as a pet, there are serious negative consequences. Large, predatory sharks may grow too big for an aquarium and become stressed or aggressive, putting owners at risk of injury. For the shark, an unnatural captive environment could lead to stunted growth, poor health, and even death over time.
Only certain small, docile shark varieties are legally permitted and suitable as pet animals. By carefully researching shark temperament, size limits, feeding requirements, and any licensing needed for ownership, enthusiasts can select an appropriate shark type that allows for a symbiotic relationship between owner and pet. The solution is choosing a shark that thrives in an aquarium at home without compromising safety or welfare.
Can You Have a Pet Shark?
Yes, you can keep some species of sharks as pets. While sharks may seem like interesting exotic pets, keeping one in your home aquarium is generally not recommended. Only a small number of shark species can survive long-term in captivity. Most sharks are not suitable as pets due to their size, habitat needs, and other care requirements.
However, a very committed shark enthusiast with the proper facilities may be able to keep certain small benthic species. Some sharks that have survived over a year in an aquarium include horn sharks and zebra sharks. These sharks max out at 3-4 feet in length.
Epaulette sharks and wobbegongs are other small bottom-dwelling sharks that have been kept as pets. Their maximum size is around 3 feet. Catsharks are one of the most commonly kept shark “pets,” as some species only reach 1-2 feet.
No matter which species you choose, it will need an enormous aquarium – a minimum of 2000 gallons for most. Sharks are also messy eaters, requiring diligent cleaning and water changes. Their special diet costs hundreds per month.
Considering their needs, most experts agree sharks do not make good pets. Unless you have extensive shark-keeping experience, large indoor facilities, and are committed to lifelong care, it’s best to admire sharks from a distance in public aquariums. Their natural habitats are in the ocean, not home aquariums. For most people, it’s kinder to the animal and more practical to enjoy sharks through observation and conservation efforts instead of as pets.
Sharks You Can Keep as Pets
A few smaller shark species can potentially thrive in carefully designed home aquariums, though they require immense care. Even “small” sharks need enormous tanks compared to typical aquarium fish. Here are some options considered with their needs in more detail:
Bamboo Sharks
One of the more commonly kept pet shark species, bamboo sharks max out around 3 feet long. They prefer to rest motionless on the sandy bottom. Though small, bamboo sharks demand considerable space – a minimum 1,000-gallon tank with dense live rock formations and caves to hide in.
Their bottom-dwelling nature and camouflage coloring allow bamboo sharks to feel comfortable even in relatively small swimming areas. However, 1,000+ gallons translates to 8 feet long tanks, a major structural and space commitment for home aquarium hobbyists.
Wobbegong Sharks
Nearly identical care requirements apply to wobbegong pet sharks. Native to reefs in Australia and South Asia, these “walking” sharks earn their name from their ability to walk along the sea floor on modified fins. Wobbegongs also stay relatively compact at under 4 feet as adults. They too appreciate large territory for solitary swimming and resting, with a recommended 1,000+ gallon tank.
Epaulette Sharks
One of the most visually stunning options from sharks to own as a pet, the epaulette shark reaches about 18 inches long with bold stripes, spots, and the ability to change colors. Native to Indo-Pacific coral reefs, they prefer warmer 78-80°F saltwater temperatures.
Epaulette sharks are active swimmers that utilize their entire vertical space by swaying in the current. A minimum 700-gallon tank allows one to fully stretch its fins plus additional swimming depth, but ideally larger.
Zebra Sharks
Zebra sharks are often considered one of the “easier” shark species to keep as a pet in captivity. However, while they may be less stressed than other sharks, they still have one major drawback for most aquarists – their size.
While zebra sharks max out around 5 feet long, their care needs are similar in proportion. Native to warmer coastal oceans, zebra sharks are nocturnal ambush predators that feel secure in hiding spaces like PVC pipes or caves.
At least a 1,500-gallon tank provides sufficient room to cruise and gives cover without overcrowding. Like bamboo sharks, the black and white stripes help camouflage in dim lighting. However, zebra sharks are more active swimmers throughout the water column.
Coral Catshark
The coral catshark is one of the smaller catshark species, reaching a maximum size of 28 inches. This makes it one of the few sharks that could potentially be kept as a pet in a large home aquarium.
It will require a minimum tank size of 300 gallons as an adult. Saltwater, advanced filtration, and weekly water changes are essential to maintain water quality.
Coral catsharks eat meaty foods like shrimp, silversides, and scallops, fed 2-3 times per week. Their diet and large tank needs make long-term care expensive to maintain.
While placid, they are skilled jumpers so a secure lid is a must. Some areas also prohibit ownership of certain shark species, so research local laws.
While smaller than most sharks, coral catsharks still have significant care requirements and housing needs. Only experienced marine aquarists should consider one as a pet, but public display may be a better option. Proper research and facilities are a must before undertaking ownership.
In summary, while there are a handful of small tropical shark species occasionally kept in sophisticated aquariums long-term, the vast space and equipment demands translate to unrealistic expectations for most private homes and budgets. Each listed species relies on immense aquarium parameters that would be difficult if not impossible for all but the most experienced hobbyists.
Life Support Requirements for Pet Sharks
Establishing and maintaining the complex support system required to humanely house even a single compact shark species poses technical challenges well beyond a standard freshwater or marine aquarium. Let’s examine these needs in more depth:
Large Aquarium Tank
To emphasize again – most shark species require a minimum of 1,000 gallons or more to happily thrive long-term. This translates to approximately 300+ gallon stock tanks or custom tanks 8+ feet in length, heftily reinforced given the enormous volumes of water. Structural engineering, plumbing, and concrete substrates demand professional installation expenses far exceeding standard aquarium sizes.
Premium Water Filtration
Sharks are keenly sensitive to water quality and waste levels toxic to fish. Multiple wet/dry or sump-style protein skimming filters rated for 1,000+ gallons maintain consistent water parameters through bi-weekly or greater water changes. Total dissolved solids monitors, ozonizers, and UV sterilization help control pathogens undetected to the naked eye.
Proper Heating & Chilling
Most tropical aquarium sharks range between 72-80°F, necessitating redundant inline or titanium heat exchangers carefully regulated to within 1-2° of the set temperature. Precise digital controllers prevent detrimental swings. Chillers additionally cool high bioload systems during summer months. Electricity demands far exceed typical aquarium equipment.
Custom Lighting & Décor
Deep sand substrates, voluminous live rockwork, and dense artificial kelp forests emulate natural habitats and break up aggressive shark territories. Dimmable LED lights provide appropriate spectra and intensities mimicking sunrise, midday, and sunset on long dawn/dusk cycles. Attention to visual barriers allows reclusive spots.
Nutritious Diet & Feeding
Sharks digest protein well and appreciate shellfish, squid, shrimp, silversides, and occasional seafood supplementation. Specialized automatic feeders time-release meals throughout daylight hours to emulate foraging patterns. Freezer stocks and monthly orders of premium frozen fare represent substantial budget line items.
Veterinary Care Funds
Topical treatments rarely suffice – significant financial reserves cover hospitalization, imaging, bloodwork, and surgery should captive animals experience health issues all too common with restraint stressors like small living quarters or social pressures. Emergency transport costs add logistical challenges. Prevention through optimized water quality minimizes but does not eliminate risks.
Simply put, beyond initial equipment investments, maintaining the technical life support required for even one petite shark species challenges most budgets and lifestyles in perpetuity. While some individuals successfully commit to such husbandry long-term, expecting to casually acquire even bamboo or wobbegong remains unrealistic for all but the most devoted experts.
Can You Have Sharks as Pet? Why Most Experts Say No
Sharks have always fascinated humans with their sleek bodies and predatorial nature. But are they suitable to keep as pets in a home aquarium? Most experts strongly advise against it.
Size and Space Requirements
Beyond the immense tank size needed, sharks simply cannot have their vast territorial needs met indoors. In the wild, they patrol miles of oceans daily. Even large public aquariums struggle to provide enough room long-term.
Natural Behavioral Impacts
Constant confinement greatly stresses these apex predators. Circling tanks isn’t the same as roaming open waters. Stress depresses their immune systems over time.
Slow Growth and Long Lifespans
While juveniles may seem manageably small, many sharks live 30+ years. Are owners truly prepared for such a lifelong responsibility as their pets gradually outgrow any home setting?
Legal and Ethical Issues
Wild capture depletes threatened populations. Keeping wide-ranging marine predators inside raises valid concerns about optimal animal welfare that some view as unjustified.
Safety Considerations
Even small, placid shark species still pose risks from natural defense behaviors if stressed. Their predatory nature demands caution, especially around families with children.
In conclusion, while the exotic appeal of pet sharks entices some, their needs require enormous, lifelong dedicated care beyond what most hobbyists can provide. For animal welfare and legal compliance reasons, accredited public aquariums remain the recommended setting for viewing sharks. Homeownership risks compromising their health and safety.
Alternative Ways to Experience Sharks
Owning a pet shark comes with considerable challenges. But there are still ways to learn about and observe sharks without keeping one at home.
Visit Public Aquariums
Large aquariums house various sharks and provide educational opportunities. Many offer fascinating talks, interactive programs, and behind-the-scenes tours.
Try Shark Tourism
Experiences like regulated dive/snorkel tours allow wild shark viewing in ocean habitats. Surface swims minimize disturbances using best practices.
Virtual Reality Apps
Underwater simulations explore coral reefs and marine life virtually, including sharks, safely from your home without ethical concerns over captivity.
Support Conservation
Donating, volunteering for, or taking eco-tours with organizations researching oceans/sharks helps preserve vulnerable populations through outreach.
Tropical Reef Aquariums
Advanced saltwater tanks showcase smaller tropical fish, corals, mollusks, and rays for appreciating marine diversity, though not replicating apex predators.
For those fascinated by sharks but unable to care for one long-term, these options provide fulfillment and opportunities to experience sharks without the challenges of ownership. Public education and conservation also allow continuing to enjoy sharks from afar.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while some smaller shark species can theoretically be kept in very large home aquariums, taking on a pet shark is generally not recommended. Sharks have complex needs that are difficult and expensive to meet properly in a captive environment.
Their intelligence, size, diet requirements, water conditions, and more present challenges even for experienced aquarists. For their welfare and well-being, sharks are best appreciated from a distance in public aquariums and their natural ocean habitat.
Some small benthic sharks may survive temporarily in the most ideal tank conditions, but most homeowners simply cannot replicate the space, filtration, and water volume sharks evolved for in the wild.
Unless you have enormous facilities and resources, dedicating your career to shark care, it’s advisable to admire these magnificent creatures from outside the tank. Their conservation should be prioritized through sustainable fishing practices and protected habitats in the sea.
