From the ferocious great white shark (Carcharodon carcharias) to the graceful white-spotted eagle ray (Aetobatus narinari), Elasmobranchii are a diverse group of boneless fishes that are circumglobal, inhabiting a diverse array of habitats, temperature ranges, salinity, and niches in the world’s oceans and rivers. It is no wonder that these unique creatures, while usually boasting relatively bland coloration compared to the typical teleostei reef fishes, pique the interest of pretty much every hobbyist. This group of fishes definitely has its challenges but, with proper information and species selection, can be kept fairly easily by a moderately skilled aquarist with a generous budget. The space-swim pattern continuum As with every other family of fishes, sharks have a wide range of spacial considerations by species. “Go big or go home” is a decent motto for most species. Length, width, and shape are the most important factors with all elasmobranchs, with depth being a factor only for pelagic shark species. Most hobbyists are intrigued by pelagic (open-ocean) sharks like blacktip reef sharks (Carcharhinus melanopterus) or bonnethead sharks (Sphyrna tiburo), but a typical tank will not suffice for these obligate swimmers. They prefer a kidney-bean-, figure-eight-, or at least cylinder-shaped pool or tank to do well. These sharks need large straight-aways and long corners for energy conservation More: Elasmobranch Enthusiasts (Part 1): Modern Husbandry – Space… More:
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