Coral Catshark. Yes or no?

[Eel Freak]

Hi all! I have a 205g aquarium, 96" x 24" x 20.5"H. I have the opportunity to get a 22" Coral Catshark that is healthy, and has been eating frozen very well for the last two years. It is in a friend of mine's tank, and he is no longer interested in having the tank as shark-only. My question is, would I be okay with getting it from him? Here is the run down on my system:

96" x 24" x 20.5"H aquarium
180lbs. LS
about 100lbs. of LR right now.
About to install my Octo Extreme 200
Working on getting my 60g fuge up (it currently is a chamber in my sump [the skimmer chamber...:hmm4:])

Inhabitants:
12" Pinfish
8" Blacktip Grouper
24" Fimbriated Moray
4" Javanese Damsel
Massive Green Serpent Star
1 Hermit Crab
1 Astrea snail

More CUC to come. Bear in mind, this tank is an upgrade from my 125 so it is still young, I transferred all the rock and such, so the bacteria and all are there. The diatom bloom has yet to appear, if ever. Any and all input is appreciated. Thank you!

[Xgame2k]

It would be really mean to the shark as it wouldn't be able to move much, especially with a large amount of live rock. The width should be at least be 3 feet for that size to keep it comfortable.

[tkeracer619]

No.

[fishysteve]

What size tank is the shark in now?

[Eel Freak]

72" x 24" x 36"H tank....

My rockwork consists of a single stack of rock on the left.... The bulk of my rock will be in my fuge for the precise reason of leaving open space...

[fishysteve]

I don't think your friend should have gotten it in the first place if he didn't plan on keeping it indefinately. It's different for other fish that can be placed in new homes easier. Not many people would want one, or have a tank big enough to house one properly.

Either way, no, I don't think you should take it. When you get bored of it, then where is it going to go?

[Eel Freak]

Honestly, I don't think he should have either... But I guess he is being forced to downsize some of his tanks so he is kind of pressured to move it... However, I at least, do not forsee me either getting bored of the shark, or moving it unless it goes to a bigger tank... I like to keep my fish as long as I can (I've had my eel and pinfish for well over two years now, they were what got me back in the hobby... =)) Oh! I forgot to mention, it's a male, don't those stay smaller anyways (less than two feet)? I had always thought the females would grow larger and approach 30" or so? Please correct me if I'm wrong. Thanks for the input!

[skibum9884]

I'm sorry, but I think I have to vote no as well.

I think 205 gallons is a bit small for it, especially with a 24" width.

[Mr James]

No.

I agree. 22" shark has to turn around in a 24" wide tank. Not cool.

[footballdude2k3]

sorry i think that he deserves a much bigger tank, i personally wouldnt put anything longer than 12" in a tank that size

[Eel Freak]

I though the turn around rule applied to the sharks were for ones that were free-swimming? So it applies to epaulettes as well? The epaulettes don't move much... Again, thank you all for the information!

[saltwater4life1]

I would say no, even non free swimmers have to turn around and giving him only 2" of spare room to do so is kind of...Wait no, it is cruel... but then again it's JMO

[fishysteve]

So if you don't take it, where is it going to go?

[Eel Freak]

That is what I do not know....

[Mr James]

That is what I do not know....


Take it up to Marineland north of you on A1A. I used to work in Ormond and live in Palm Coast. Marineland has come A LONG ways, even since then. I bet they would have a place for it!!!