Free Shark

[Fishwise]

pepperoni, thats a great point, but doesn't apply to the shark. They are native to Atlantic waters whereas lionfish are not.

 

[Anonymous]

Yes, I understand that, but I guess I should have emphasized more on the fact that it was captive, and could have picked up pathogens from eating freshwater fish, and if it did, could it spread to other sharks if that releasee gets eaten? It's like opening a pandora's box, you don't know what could happen, in essence it is like introducing a non-native to a population. Maybe nurse sharks do eat freshwater fish when they are around esturine environs...then my whole point is moot

 

[Fishwise]

im not releasing it so at least we don't have to worry about any of this. Hopefully other readers will at least search for alternatives besides reintroduction. There are alot of negatives to releasing in the wild some may be arguable but safe is always better than sorry.

 

[SpecialK]

I always understood that the shark is the only fish that can be released back into the waters as long as it was native to that area. I remember reading a discussion on this a few years back.

Kaye

 

[Anonymous]

I agree. It's an apex predator and I would be surprised to see it pass on a prey pathogen to it's relatives. My gut feeling is to release it.

I know the rules, it is just an opinion.

 

[GSchiemer]

He's already said three times that HE'S NOT RELEASING IT. Why do some of you continue to make this ill-informed suggestion? :roll:

 

[SpecialK]

Hmmm I Did Not Say to release It!!!! I made a statment about what I remember reading a few years back, that is what having a discussion is all about................


Kaye

 

[Anonymous]

He's already said three times that HE'S NOT RELEASING IT. Why do some of you continue to make this ill-informed suggestion? :roll:

Er, because this is a discussion forum. I don't think they're trying to change his mind, but just exchanging views. :?

 

[GSchiemer]

Hmmm I Did Not Say to release It!!!! I made a statment about what I remember reading a few years back, that is what having a discussion is all about................


Kaye

...and I remember reading that pigs fly too, but I wouldn't pass on that information or suggest that anyone throw their pig out of a window.

Let's start thinking responsibly and stop passing on hearsay. Don't make suggestions unless you have the knowledge and facts to back up your statements.

That's a problem with these forums in general (particularly RC). I realize that people want to participate and be helpful, but it's okay to NOT answer a question if you don't have anything meaningful or substantial to contribute.

BTW, I'm not picking on you "Kaye." My comments aren't directed at anyone in particular. They're just general observations. I have lots of pet peeves.

 

[Anonymous]

I'm with Wade on this: Even though it's native to the east coast of Florida, releasing it to the wild is a BAD idea and potentially illegal. Please don't consider this suggestion.

ok facts only? i understand the starter of this thread is not going to release the fish back into the wild and i agree but i have to ask what does "potentially" illegal mean? either it is or it isn't. my guess is you aren't sure so you gave youself an out by adding that qualification.
what does "bad" mean in your context? do you have any examples of apex predators being released back in their native waters and some negative results occuring? i know of a positive example, the recent release of a white shark after a brief but record setting stay in a public aqurium. public aquriums and universitys etc. have been releasing predators back into the wild for decades and so far i know of no introduction of non-native pathogens into the ecosystem.i am not trying to be personal either but if people think they can only post absolute fact, they may be less inclined to post questions and problems that may be helped in a public forum.
i have a theroy why it may not be a good idea to release that fish back into the wild but it is just a theroy.

 

[Anonymous]

coraladdict

:welcome:



The owner of this shark has no idea what other fish this shark has been in contact with during its lifetime. It could have all sorts of parasites foreign to the area lurking latently with in its body. I don't know enough about shark immunology to state that it does or doesn't. But I would be extremely skeptical of any claim that said, in essence, sharks don't carry parasites. Also, this extends to other foreign organisms from live rock that might "hitch a ride" in the bag--sponges, polychaetes, arthropods, etc.

In contrast, the folks at the MBA captured, maintained, and released that fish all in the same area. Also, all the fish in that tank are from that area.

 

[Anonymous]

i know white sharks move great distances to feed. I don't know if they or any other shark goes from pacific to atlantic but it is hard to belive some migration through the southern end of s.a doesn't occur by some fish or whale for that matter . i agree it probably isn't a good idea to release the shark but i have not heard one concrete fact backed up by any study/research on either side of this argument. i guess that was the point i was trying to make. i just hope the shark finds a nice(big) home. i have a 1000 gal. pond(outdoors) but it would be impossible to keep warm enough where i live.
by the way, thanks for the welcome.

 

[Anonymous]

i know white sharks move great distances to feed. I don't know if they or any other shark goes from pacific to atlantic but it is hard to belive some migration through the southern end of s.a doesn't occur by some fish or whale for that matter . i agree it probably isn't a good idea to release the shark but i have not heard one concrete fact backed up by any study/research on either side of this argument. i guess that was the point i was trying to make. i just hope the shark finds a nice(big) home. i have a 1000 gal. pond(outdoors) but it would be impossible to keep warm enough where i live.
by the way, thanks for the welcome.

I think in this case it's better to play it safe than sorry.

As for facts, well, there are tons of links/papers out there on non-native species being introduced and what effects they cause on local ecology. I'll save you the effort and tell you it's not usually good.

Does the nurse shark have anything on it non-native that might live? I dunno. Probably not, quite honestly, but why take the chance? There is no shortage of nurse sharks in the Caribbean. Short of finding it a much larger home, euthanizing it is the most conscientious option IMO.

 

[Fishwise]

Ive noticed that alot of the organisms released into the wild have been found wounded and are tended to until they are capeable of returning. Thats why this is different because the shark has been in captivity since it was about 8"-12" and i know it has been in captivity for about 6 years in a few different environments with varieties of care.

 

[Anonymous]

i will share my extremely important and can't be wrong theory . I don't think the shark would live long because it is for lack of a better word "out of shape". it has spent a year in a 400 gal container without being able to do much more than turn around. i would guess that in the ocean the fish would tire quickly in the current and be unable to catch fish and die. of course i have nothing to back this up but my gut!

 

[Fishwise]

Interesting Theory. I don't know if that would be a problem or not, but i know that she swam pretty much 75-80% of the time

 

[Fishwise]

R.I.P. 10/27/05 Bad news fella's. I really don't want to talk about it. Three words followed by two words, "Ignorance, Heater, Unplugged", "Not Me". I appreciate all of your input. A couple of you gave me some connections that I did not jump on as fast as i should. Thank you for everything and understanding.

Fishwise/Fishidiot

 

[Anonymous]

Sorry to hear about your experience and being caught in the middle holding the bag. I was in a fish store two days ago looking for thick pieces of cured driftwood that could handle load bearing for the paludarium I am building currently. While I was there I noticed they had a six inch baby shark in an isolation box in the aquarium. I must say if you are new to aquaria it must be tempting as hell to take one home. You would think that little shark could never get too big to keep. The sale of these fish to people that do not even undestand how to cycle thier tanks should be illegal and it does nothing to help the reputation of the ornimental fish trade as a respectable group of wholesellers.

 

[Fishwise]

People buy sharks thinking that they will just keep upgrading the tank but they never do and all of them will run out of money to spend on upgrading the size of the tank. Their should be certifications and licensing for this hobby and different classes determining the levels of these licenses. You should be certified to dive, amatuer radio requires licensing. I bet that it would keep needless fish and coral deaths from happening. Sharks should definately be a controlled animal if anything. Oh well

 

[K9coral]

Poor shark, since you REFUSE to release it into it's native waters (Atlantic Region) it will probably end up dying (if it hasnt already). Many critters (wild and domesticated) are released by institutions such as the Audubon Society every year without ill effect to the ecosystem. Since these institutions spend millions of $$$$ on research I'm sure they know what they are doing (at least a lot more than you or I :lol: ). This is much different than letting nutria loose on Louisiana's coast or releasing Asian carp to destroy a freshwater ecosystem. But like you said, you arent letting him go! Hope you find someone or some company that can take the fish from you. Good Luck! Oh yeah - IMO - since I've caught nurse sharks while fishing in Lake Pontchartrain, I seriously doubt you would harm anything by releasing the fish, BUT you wont do that......(sarcastic remark kept to self).