5 Sharks For The Saltwater Aquarium

Sharks: Is there anything cooler in the ocean? From the tiny Dwarf Lantern Shark that is about the length of a pencil to the gigantic Whale Shark the size of a bus, sharks represent a fascinating and unbelievably diverse group of marine animals. It is no surprise that some aquarists want to take their appreciation of sharks to the next level by showcasing them in a home aquarium—but that requires plenty of planning, knowledge and a strong commitment to animal care.

Even smaller sharks require a serious amount of space, and all need pristine water conditions, so it’s important to realize that keeping a shark is a major responsibility. Sharks are not a suitable animal for the average hobbyist; only advanced aquarists need apply.

That said, let’s take a look at five types of sharks conducive to aquarium life and what they need to thrive.

These beautiful sharks are covered in small spots plus a characteristic pair of large spots called ocelli above their pectoral fins. This conspicuous marking resembles the shoulder decoration used on military uniforms to signify rank and is the origin of their common name.

Instead of swimming in the water column as we usually expect sharks to do, Epaulette Sharks use their muscular paired fins to climb over the sea floor. They are also called Walking Sharks because they use those strong fins to “walk” between coral heads at low tide.

In the wild, they feed mainly on crabs and worms, but in captivity they will accept most meaty marine food items that are small enough to fit in their mouth. Water temperatures should be stable between 75-82°F.

The color pattern of these sharks features numerous white spots that accent dark bands and saddles on a light-brown background. As bottom dwellers and substrate foragers, these sharks need the largest tank footprint you can manage.

They like to hide in rock crevices during the day and are the most active at night, which is when they prefer to eat, and will often search through the sandy substrate looking for food. Any large rocks or other structures should be placed directly on the bottom of the tank so they are as stable as possible; otherwise, your Whitespotted Bamboo Shark may topple them. Water temperatures between 72-78°F are ideal. In the wild, they mostly eat crustaceans and bony fishes, and in captivity they like to feed on squids, shrimps, clams, scallops and marine fishes.

These beautiful little sharks are covered in black and white spots that often merge to form horizontal bars. An ideal aquarium for this species would be 300 gallons or more with a sandy bottom and a mix of open areas for swimming and rock formations to provide caves and crevices for the shark to explore and seek shelter in.

Coral Catsharks live in shallow, Indo-Pacific coral reefs, so they need warm, stable water temperatures ranging from 78 to 82°F. As active foragers, they prefer a diet of fresh or frozen silversides, shrimps, clams and mussels. These sharks have a small mouth and need appropriately sized food items.

This species closely resembles the shape and size of the Epaulette Shark and has similar patterning as well, but with more fine and densely spaced spots all over its body. These sharks are also bottom dwellers who prefer to walk around on their pectoral fins instead of swimming in the water column, but they do occasionally exhibit periods of free swimming. Speckled Carpet Sharks don’t tear up prey in the traditional shark sense, so they need bite-sized pieces of meaty marine food that they chew thoroughly before swallowing. Water temperatures should be stable between 75-82°F.

This shark is the smallest member of the nurse shark family. They have a dark brown coloration, a peaceful temperament and a low activity level that makes them well-suited to life in an aquarium. They need a soft, sandy substrate with caves or sheltered spaces for resting during the day. Like the other sharks mentioned so far, they are most active in the evening, which is when they typically search for food. They are known to rest on their sides or even upside down for extended periods, so don’t be alarmed if you observe this behavior. Stable water temperatures between 72-78°F are best.

Q:How much does a saltwater shark cost?

A:Saltwater sharks typically start at a minimum of $100 each but can be quite a bit more expensive than that. Epaulette sharks, for example, frequently cost close to $1,000, and short-tailed nurse sharks can be two or three times more expensive than that.

Q:Where can I buy a saltwater shark?

A:Captive-bred sharks can be purchased from reputable online retailers such as LiveAquaria and Oceans, Reefs & Aquariums (ORA), or occasionally from local fish stores that specialize in uncommon species.

Q:What’s the smallest saltwater shark species?

A:The smallest shark species that can be kept in a home saltwater aquarium is the Coral Catshark (Atelomycterus marmoratus), which grows to a maximum of 28 inches in length. The smallest shark species in the world is the Dwarf Lantern Shark (Etmopterus perryi), which maxes out at under 8 inches.

Q:What’s the best saltwater shark species for beginners?

A:There are no suitable saltwater shark species for beginners. Sharks are challenging and demanding animals to maintain. If you are a novice aquarist interested in keeping a shark, it’s best to spend years getting hands-on experience with general saltwater aquarium care before even considering getting a shark.