Can You Put Sharks in an Aquarium?

Sharks are fascinating animals: sleek, deadly and predatory. And as with any interesting animal, sooner or later people will wonder if they can be kept in aquariums. The answer is a qualified yes, but the asterisk is a large one. Sharklike fish are sold as "sharks" at many pet shops. Small true sharks can be kept by experienced fishkeepers. And public aquariums can keep a wider range of species. Still, one must be aware of laws concerning elasmobranch pets as they are illegal in many jurisdictions.

  1. Freshwater "Sharks"

    • Though there are true freshwater sharks, none are suited for aquariums. However, pet shops will sell fish called freshwater sharks. These fish are in fact minnows, carps and catfish and only superficially resemble sharks. Though they are not true sharks, they make great aquarium pets. These sharks generally get along well with other fish and have no special dietary requirements. Be aware of their potential size. While red-tailed sharks stay small, bala sharks can get more than a foot in length.

    Saltwater Aquarium Sharks

    • Catsharks are small enough for home aquariums.

      Even in the complex world of saltwater aquariums, keeping a shark is considered an accomplishment to be proud of. A shark aquarium must be large, at least three times the size of the shark, with rounded corners if possible. Only the smallest sharks are suitable for the largest home aquariums. These include catsharks, bamboo sharks and epaulette sharks. The coral catshark is well-suited for aquariums as it is the smallest of these species.

    Public Aquariums

    • The great white shark has been sucessfully kept in public aquariums.

      Public aquariums may house many species not found in home aquariums. For example, the Monterey Bay Aquarium has housed several great white sharks for public display. Others, like the Shedd Aquarium, have displayed other sharks including bonnethead sharks (a small hammerhead), zebra sharks and blacktip reef sharks. You can see many sharks at public aquariums that could never make suitable pets as they are simply too large or too demanding for a home aquarium.

    Laws

    • In many areas, it is illegal for a private individual to own a shark. This includes states such as Arizona and California. Some bans apply only to certain species of sharks. The reasons for these bans range from basic safety concerns to concerns about the sharks escaping and wreaking environmental havoc. Always check with your area's fish and game department (or similar entity) before purchasing a shark.