
This means increased protection for these particular sharks, while still allowing legal and sustainable trade.Ī healthy ocean needs healthy shark populations - and endangered sharks need our help. In March of 2013, as a result of tremendous international cooperation, five shark species were listed by CITES-an international organization. For these species, overfishing, bycatch, and shark finning are contributing factors in their decline.īut thanks to a global, growing awareness about vulnerable shark species, many countries are implementing shark fin bans – even in places where shark fin soup is considered a delicacy and cultural tradition.Ĭountries around the world have been working together to promote the adoption of shark conservation and management measures.

While the majority of shark species have sustainable populations, a number of them have been shrinking at an alarming rate. What makes them unique also makes them vulnerable. Sharks take many years to mature, have only a few young at a time, and are highly migratory. They play a vital role in keeping the ecosystem healthy by feeding on animals that are lower in the food chain. Most sharks are apex predators and sit at the top of the food chain. Dwarf lantern sharks have thin, V-shaped scales called dermal denticles covering their skin. The lateral sides of the body are covered with 5 small gill slits. What sharks do have in common is the role they play in their ecosystems. The upper jaw has 20 to 23 rows of teeth, while the lower jaw has 30 to 34 rows. At a mere six inches, the dwarf lantern is one of the smallest sharks and can fit in the palm of your hand. It can grow to more than 40 feet – that’s as large as a school bus. Sharks are beautiful and entertaining, and you’ll have the opportunity to observe shark behavior without visiting an aquarium.Did you know that sharks have existed for more than 400 million years? There are more than 450 species of sharks throughout the ocean and they come in all different colors and sizes. Some sharks even feed on algae, adding balance to your aquarium environment. With careful research and an understanding of shark care, you can successfully add a small shark to your tank. If captured, they must be released immediately. Great white sharks are a protected species in the waters where they are found. The smallest is the dwarf shark (Squaliolus laticaudus), which gets to about 8 inches (20 cm) in length, while the largest is the whale shark (Rhincodon typus), which reaches about 50 feet (15 m) in length. Sharks have no uniform average size they come in all shapes and sizes. And like many other sharks, the epaulette will often fast for a few weeks before having a feast. A bottom feeder, the epaulette also prefers wide, open, sandy-bottomed aquariums. #1 The Epaulette An Australian shark, the epaulette makes an excellent pet shark because it likes confined spaces. What is the smallest shark for an aquarium?ĭwarf shark What is the best shark to have as a pet? Is it legal to own a great white shark? No.

Does a dwarf lantern shark bite?ĭwarf Lanternshark Recorded Attacks on Humans: Not a threat to humans.

The Roseline shark reaches up to 6 inches (15.2 centimeters) upon maturity, classifying it as one of the smallest shark pets suitable for freshwater home aquaria. What is the smallest shark you can have as a pet? They live in deep ocean habitats and would not be suitable for captivity because of the physical characteristics of their natural environment. Each is a unique type of shark named for its distinct appearance or an uncommon behaviour. Below is a list of ten unusual shark species that you may not know existed. The truest small sharks, such as the dwarf lantern shark (Etmopterus perryi), which grows to just over 7 inches, are not available to aquarists. There are more than 1,000 different species of sharks in the Earths oceans and seas, from the tiny dwarf lantern shark, to the giant whale shark. What is the best shark to have as a pet?Ĭan you have a dwarf lantern shark as a pet?.What is the smallest shark for an aquarium?.What is the smallest shark you can have as a pet?.Can you have a dwarf lantern shark as a pet?.
