Nurse Shark
From Microcosm Aquarium Explorer
Occasionally available to home aquarists, but nearly impossible to house for its full lifespan. Scott W. Michael
Overview
However tempted, please steer clear of this shark. It can easily attain a length of over 10 ft. (3 m). (It gets much bigger in the wild.) It takes a mammoth system to hold one of these beasts for its entire life. Euthanasia is often the sad end result. Do your research before buying any shark or ray species.
Family: Ginglymostomatidae
Other common name(s):
Native range:
- Caribbean
- Atlantic Ocean
- Eastern Pacific Ocean
Habitat: A shark of shallow waters, during daylight a sleepy, inactive animal. At night it feeds over shallow bottoms, eating fish, crustaceans, mollusks, sea urchins and jellyfish. It can spring into action if a feeding opportunity arises. (It will attack humans if surprised.)
Maximum length: 430 cm (169 in)
Minimum aquarium size: 18,240 L (4,818 gal)
Water: Marine 20 °C (68 °F) - 28 °C (82 °F)
General swimming level: Near bottom.
Feeding
Carnivore. Feeds on fishes, crabs, shrimp, lobsters, and octopus in the wild. In captivity, feed twice weekly to satiation with marine fish and crustacean flesh.
Aquarium Compatibility
Will topple corals and rockwork in all typical home marine aquaria and will eat most purchased aquarium livestock other than corals.