Pet Shark Care

There are a variety of sharks that can be kept as pets. From rainbow sharks to bala sharks, these pets require special care in order to thrive. They are not for the beginner, and they are not for people who prefer low-maintenance pets. You should have experience with maintaining salt water tanks and caring for other salt water fish before you attempt caring for a pet shark. You should also learn how to take care of them properly.

Food

You can feed your shark black worms, shrimp and crab. You may have to start them off with live food, and slowly train them to eat frozen seafood (just make sure to unfreeze it before feeding them). Take care that you do not overfeed them, because they will not eat more than they need and the tank will grow dirty. Sharks like variety in their diet, so you may want to have several of the recommended foods on hand. If you want to try feeding your shark something other than recommended foods, just make sure you talk to an expert first.

Tank Size

Pet sharks need large aquariums. You will need at least a 50-gallon tank, probably much larger, depending on how big the shark will grow to be. Some experts recommend a ratio of one gallon of water per inch of fish, although this varies. Really sharks like to have space, so the bigger your tank is the happier the shark will be. Ask an expert what the best size would be for your pet shark. You must make sure that your aquarium has a cover over the top because sharks can jump out of the tank. Don't leave the aquarium cover light on constantly; your shark needs rest just like you do.

Heat and Clean

Heat the tank with an electric aquarium heater. Keep the temperature around 75 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Check the temperature daily to ensure the health of your shark. Do not place the aquarium in a spot where it will receive direct sunlight or heat from a heater, because this will overheat the water. Put a layer of smooth gravel on the bottom, and make sure you clean the tank weekly. The rocks on the bottom must be smooth, so that they will not scratch your shark's belly. Get a vacuum specifically designed for aquariums from a pet store. Use an electric filter to keep the tank water clean. Change about 20 percent of the water in the tank every two weeks.

Habitat

You may want to better your sharks habitat by adding rocks, plants or caves that are approved for aquarium use, because sharks like to be able to hide. Just make sure you don't put too much decor in the tank, and make sure they will have plenty of room to swim. If the decor starts to look dirty, take it out and clean it. If you see algae growing in the tank or on the tank, scrape it off with an algae scrubber.

Other Care Information

There are some diseases that pet sharks can get, that you should be on the lookout for. Whitespot, or ICH, is a disease that looks like clumps of white crystals stuck to the side of your shark. This is a parasitic infection caused by unsteady water temperatures and bad filtration. There is a water treatment for this problem, and it is available at pet stores. Fin rot is another condition that is an indication of poor water quality. It is a bacterial infection that feeds on the fin of your shark. This too can be remedied, by cleaning debris from the tank and using an antibiotic water treatment. There are a number of other parasitic diseases that can affect your shark, so always be observant. You may find it helpful if you have multiple sharks or fish in a tank, to have a separate tank available for the sick shark in order to prevent the spread of disease.