The main way to prevent sharks from eating other fish in the aquarium is to keep them well-fed and trained. Sharks are intelligent animals that can learn to associate certain signals with food rewards. By using techniques such as target feeding, aquarists can ensure that sharks get enough nutrition and do not see their tank mates as prey. However, there are also other factors that influence the behavior of sharks in captivity, such as their species, size, temperament, and habitat. In this article, we will explore how aquariums manage to keep sharks and other fish in harmony, as well as some of the challenges and benefits of doing so.
One of the most important aspects of keeping sharks in aquariums is feeding them properly. Sharks are carnivorous animals that need a high-protein diet to maintain their health and energy. In the wild, sharks hunt for their food, which can range from small fish and crustaceans to large mammals and other sharks. However, in captivity, sharks rely on humans to provide them with food, which can pose some challenges.
First of all, sharks have different dietary preferences and requirements depending on their species. For example, whale sharks are filter feeders that eat plankton and small fish, while sand tiger sharks are piscivores that eat larger fish and even other sharks. Therefore, aquariums need to offer a variety of food items that suit the needs of each shark. Some of the common food sources for sharks in aquariums are capelin, herring, mackerel, squid, and krill.
Secondly, sharks need to be fed regularly and sufficiently to prevent them from getting hungry and aggressive. In the wild, sharks may go for days or weeks without eating, depending on the availability of prey. However, in captivity, sharks are fed on a more consistent schedule, usually two to three times a week. The amount of food given to each shark depends on their size, weight, and metabolism. Aquariums use different methods to measure the food intake of sharks, such as weighing them, tagging them, or observing their behavior.
Thirdly, sharks need to be trained to eat from specific locations and signals to avoid competition and aggression among themselves and other fish. Aquariums use various techniques to train sharks, such as positive reinforcement, target feeding, and hand feeding. Positive reinforcement is a method of rewarding desired behavior with food or other stimuli. Target feeding is a method of using a colored or shaped object to attract the attention of a specific shark and direct it to a feeding station. Hand feeding is a method of offering food directly to a shark by hand or by using a pole. These methods help sharks to associate food with certain cues and to learn to eat peacefully and cooperatively.
Choosing and housing sharks
Another factor that affects the coexistence of sharks and other fish in aquariums is the selection and arrangement of the animals. Aquariums need to consider several criteria when choosing which sharks to keep and how to house them, such as their species, size, temperament, and habitat.
First of all, aquariums need to select sharks that are compatible with other fish and can adapt to captivity. Not all sharks are suitable for aquariums, as some may be too large, too rare, too endangered, or too difficult to care for. For example, great white sharks are notoriously hard to keep in captivity, as they tend to die or injure themselves within days or weeks of being captured. Aquariums also need to avoid keeping sharks that are known to be aggressive or predatory toward other fish, such as bull sharks, tiger sharks, or hammerhead sharks. Instead, aquariums tend to favor sharks that are relatively small, docile, and tolerant of other species, such as bamboo sharks, nurse sharks, or reef sharks.
Secondly, aquariums need to provide adequate space and environment for the sharks and other fish to live comfortably and naturally. Sharks are highly mobile and active animals that need a lot of room to swim and explore. Aquariums need to design tanks that are large enough to accommodate the size and number of sharks, as well as to simulate their natural habitat. For example, the Ocean Voyager exhibit at the Georgia Aquarium is the largest aquarium tank in the world, holding 6.3 million gallons of water and housing four whale sharks, among other animals. Aquariums also need to create zones and structures that allow the sharks and other fish to hide, rest, and interact. For example, the Cape Fear Shoals exhibit at the North Carolina Aquarium features artificial reefs, caves, and ledges that provide shelter and enrichment for the sharks and other fish.
Benefits and challenges of keeping sharks
Keeping sharks in aquariums has both benefits and challenges for the animals, the aquariums, and the public. On the one hand, keeping sharks in aquariums can have positive impacts on the conservation, education, and research of these animals. Aquariums can help to protect sharks from threats such as overfishing, habitat loss, and climate change by providing them with a safe and controlled environment. Aquariums can also help to educate the public about the diversity, behavior, and importance of sharks by allowing them to observe and interact with them up close. Aquariums can also help to advance the scientific knowledge and understanding of sharks by conducting studies and experiments on their biology, ecology, and physiology.
On the other hand, keeping sharks in aquariums can also have negative impacts on the welfare, health, and behavior of these animals. Aquariums can cause stress and discomfort to sharks by exposing them to unnatural conditions such as artificial lighting, noise, and water quality. Aquariums can also cause injuries and diseases to sharks by exposing them to parasites, pathogens, or contaminants. Aquariums can also cause changes and problems in the behavior of sharks by altering their natural instincts, such as hunting, mating, and migrating.
Conclusion
In conclusion, keeping sharks from eating other fish in the aquarium is a complex and challenging task that requires careful planning and management. Aquariums need to feed and train the sharks properly, choose and house the sharks appropriately, and balance the benefits and challenges of keeping the sharks in captivity. By doing so, aquariums can ensure that sharks and other fish can coexist peacefully and productively, and that the public can enjoy and appreciate these amazing animals.
