Great whites are by far the most famous species of sharks on the planet, and this is predominantly due to their use as predators in films and TV shows.
However, not all sharks are large. In fact, sharks come in all shapes and sizes.
So, when people speak about keeping a shark as a pet, they are not referring to a creature that is the size of a great white, instead they are typically referring to a much smaller species of shark.
It is surprisingly common for people to keep sharks as pets.
In this guide, we will be taking a deeper look at if you can have sharks as pets, and what types of sharks make the best pets.
So if you want to find out more, keep on reading.
Can You Have Sharks As Pets?
First things first, let’s take a look at if you can keep sharks as pets.
In one word, yes, you can. In most countries, you can keep sharks as pets, and it is a lot more common than you might think.
For many people, the idea of keeping a shark as a pet might seem alarming, but again, we remind you that sharks come in all sorts of sizes.
While it is possible to keep some relatively large species of shark as pets, the majority of people will keep sharks that are very small as pets.
Sharks that are so small that they can live in tanks that you would usually imagine pet fish living in.
Lots of people have aquariums in their home. Of the people who have aquariums, many people choose to add a species of shark to the tank.
These sharks are not scary, like great white sharks are, instead they are usually rather small in size.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at some species of shark that you can keep as pets.
What Species Of Sharks Can You Keep As A Pet?
The list of species of shark that can be kept as pets is surprisingly long.
There are hundreds of different species of shark out there, and a lot of them actually make good pets.
Here are some examples of sharks that people tend to keep as pets.
The Epaulette
This fast moving shark is perhaps the most popular species that is kept as a pet.
This Australian species of shark is incredibly handsome, and has an appearance that often attracts people to buy them.
With two black spots above their pectoral fins, these fish look very smart, and they will make a great addition to your aquarium.
The Wobbegong
The wobbegong is a species of shark that is also very popular among those who keep pet sharks.
This species of shark is very popular among people who purchase a pet shark in order to show their pet shark off. This is predominantly because wobbegongs can grow up to 10 feet in length.
There is no denying that these sharks are very impressive, and they are low maintenance too. These factors combined often attract people to purchase them.
The Bamboo Shark
The bamboo shark comes in a variety of different species, all of which are popular among those who keep sharks.
This species isn’t low maintenance, like the wobbegong, but they are beautiful.
They are also fairly aggressive, so you have to think carefully before adding one to your tank.
Especially if you already have fish living in the aquarium.
The Catshark
Perhaps the most beautiful pet shark that you can keep is the catshark.
The most common type of catshark that is kept by aquarium owners is the coral catshark. These sharks like to hide during the day, and swim during the night.
They are very peaceful, but will hunt when given the option. So, if you are keeping other fish in your aquarium, you should do your research before adding a catshark to the tank.
Things To Consider Before Getting A Pet Shark
As you can see, there are actually quite a few different species of shark that you can keep as a pet.
If you are somebody who loves fish and aquatic creatures, it might be very tempting to add a pet shark to your tank.
You might be even more tempted after you research some of the sharks we have spoken about above.
However, before you decide to buy a pet shark, there are some things that you should consider. Let’s take a look at what they are.
Adult Size Of The Shark
Before you purchase a pet shark, you need to do your research and find out how big that shark will grow once it becomes an adult.
When they are young, sharks will be much smaller, and many people have been caught out when buying an infant shark.
So, it is very important that you research the expected adult size of that species before you buy one for your tank.
Life Expectancy
It is also crucial to consider the life expectancy of the shark that you are buying.
Unlike some other species of fish, sharks can live for long lifetimes.
So, you need to consider if you have the ability to look after your shark for the rest of its life before you buy one.
Behavior
Finally, you need to consider the behavior of that shark.
All species of sharks are different, so you need to know what you are getting yourself into before you buy.
This is especially important if you plan on adding your shark to an aquarium that already has residents, as aggressive sharks could pose a real threat to the rest of the creatures residing in your tank.
Summary
In short, yes, you can keep sharks as pets. This is something that many people do, and it is a lot more common than you might think.
In this guide, we have taken a look at if you can keep sharks as pets, and what species of shark you should keep if you are interested in getting a pet shark.
If you’ve never dived with sharks before, then we urge you to try it. My name is Mikayla Adams and I have swum with sharks six times so far.
The beauty of sharks up close and personal is too precious to put into words - there’s nothing like it that I’ve ever experienced. Not only that, but to be in close proximity to one of the ocean’s most ferocious predators is such a thrill!
