epaulette sharks

[davelin315]

Don't forget that sharks are seasonal, and you may not be able to get one until next year. Most collectors harvest babies at around 1 foot or so. I saw one in a LFS recently, but it was in my guesstimation about 3-4 years old and over 2 feet. Have never had an epaulette, but be careful as a lot of sharks prey on stingrays. Even if it can't swallow them, they can latch on and end up killing them.

 

[eddi]

Thanks Dave,

every thing I have read seems to indicate that Epaulettes and rays can cohabitate peacefully. As far as being seasonal, wouldn't that apply only to new borns?

Eddi

 

[eddi]

Hello everyone,

I set up my 360 gallon tank to house rays and sharks. I have two small (about 6" in diameter) yellow rays and now all I need are the sharks. Please, I am not trying to start a war, nor am I looking to get flamed. I have done my research, I know what I am getting into.

The problem is that I can't find anyone that has or can get the sharks. I have called every LFS in a 150 mile radius from me, and I have gone to every commerical link on reefs.org, plus a couple more. Nothing.

Does nayone have any idea on where to get them? They are indigenous to Australia so I knew they would be hard to find when I started, but this is ridiculous. Does nayone know of any distributors or importers that I can contact?


Thank you,

Eddi Staffini

 

[davelin315]

It does only apply to new borns, but that is what LFS normally stock. Shipping is easiest on young new born shark pups, as they are used to being sedentary (although epaulettes are more or less sedentary, habits are not much different from a cucumber when you think about it) and can handle being in the bag better, and smaller sharks are obviously easier to ship as you can put them in a larger volume of water without them depleting their oxygen and fouling the water. That's one of the reasons newborns are normally what is sold. Getting a large one can be problematic as they are difficult to ship (that adult that I saw at the store probably needed an extra large styro all to itself to be shipped successfully) and also, who wants to put a huge shark in their system that potentially is already too big when they can have a tiny one and watch it grow? You may want to look up someone in Australia and see when the "season" is on epaulette sharks, or even try and contact their department of agriculture and see what they say, they may even tell you who is licensed to export them and maybe get one shipped directly to you from there.

 

[eddi]

Dave,

epaulettes hatch between April and September so this would be the right time. Good idea about contacting the Australian department of agriculture. It is a long shot, but at this point I am willing to try anything.

Anyone else have any other suggestion?


Eddi

 

[eddi]

Fairly easy to find? All the shark eggs I have ever seen have been bamboo eggs. I would not mind going that route, but it would not be my preferred way but I would not mind it, but I can't even find eggs!


Eddi

 

[Gatortailale1]

Eddi,

Just checking:

you said you checked all the reefs.org commercial sites. Did you just check web pages or did you call places?

I saw a post by someone else who said they recommended calling some of the online vendors because they may have one in stock, but just don't list it on their site.

4 what it's worth

 

[eddi]

Gatorman,

I called all the ones that had sharks in their stock list. I did not ask for eggs, just the live ones, I hope if they had an egg they would have said something. But you never know.

I just talked to Yaz at Roozen. He swears he can get them in anytime. I am not optimistic, but hopefully I am wrong.


Eddi

 

[swreefer]

This place lists one for sale.
http://www.themarinecenter.com/specials/

 

[Anonymous]

I believe Sea Dwelling Creatures (a wholesaler in LA) had epaulettes on its list either this week or last week.

Glenn

 

[eddi]

Steve,

I called them last week and they did not have any. Thanks, I will try again.

Glenn,

I will do a search on them, but in case they do not have a web sote do you have their phone #??? and thanks!


Eddi

 

[Anonymous]

here ya go they are wholesale only though so you'll need to find an lfs who will do an order through them.

Glenn

 

[Cruiser]

Eddi

Constantly see them in Los Angeles based stores
during the season which is just ending.

Maybe a week ago "Jeffs Exotic" had a carpet / wobbygong / epaulette shark, about 10" to 12" in length. Fat little guy & good size for your tank.
Check with Jeff.

These sharks make great pets - just try an overcome the urge to constantly feed them, and they will provide hours of fun! A slightly underfed shark is a happy shark

 

[eddi]

Thanks Glen!

Eddi

 

[eddi]

Cruiser,

Jeff had one? I talked to him about a month ago and he said he rarely gets them in! I will try him again.

As far as feeding, I plan on no more than 2, maybe three times a week.

Eddi

 

[Anonymous]

I haven't read it but Scott Michael has a book on auarium sharks and rays. Based on his other books it is likely to be excellent. You may want to check it out.

 

[Anonymous]

I got it. Great book. A must if you're gonna keep sharks.

Glenn

 

[morepunkthanewe]

It is fairly easy to find bamboo or epaulette shark eggs, and they are farily inexpensive as compared to a small live shark. Usually less than $30. THey may be seasonal however, but I would ask at your LFS. They should be able to tell you if they are on the availability list. The egg cases are easy to keep, hatching in a few weeks usually. The babies start eating frozen and live food, and aren't too picky. I think that almost all of the shark eggs sold to aquarists are these sharks, so you shouldn't have to worry about hatching some monstrosity...

 

[ophiuroid]

Too bad you are not in Houston...a LFS here has 4 or 5 10-12" babies (plus bamboo eggs and a newly hatched bamboo). So they must be available from some supplier, somewhere.....

 

[eddi]

yes, I have Scott's book. It is a great source of reference to get started, but what I felt the book lacked were examples/suggestions on how to keep sharks/rays for the long run. But I did learn some things from it.

Ophiruoid, do you have that LFS's name and number? I would like to call them.

Rover, I talked to someone from Sea Dwelling Creatures and they told me they had them, but will not sell to individuals. To make things even more complicated, they will not accept orders from any LFS, it has to be one that they regularly deal with. But I am working on it. Thanks for the tip.


Eddi