Although more than 40 years have passed, I still remember the first time that I cast my eyes on a living shark. In the summer of 1965, I sat on an old wooden pier on the coast of Newfoundland, Canada, where I was born, watching fishermen bringing in their daily catch. At 6 years of age, I saw a beautiful little spiny dogfish shark (Squalus acanthias) near the top of a fisherman’s net. It immediately fascinated me.
Because sharks are still a mystery to many hobbyists, we will take the time to explore where sharks live, how they function and how they interact with their environment. By approaching sharks in this way, you will learn how their natural habitat and behavior determine the aquarium conditions they need. Sharks are difficult to keep in captivity but well worth the effort for experienced hobbyists.
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