Movies like Jaws and sensationalized media reports of swimmers being attacked by sharks have given the massive Great White Shark a bad rap, and now this awesome predator is facing dwindling numbers making it even rarer than the endangered tiger. Researchers have recently learned their numbers are dwindling and their estimation of the global population was much lower than originally though.  New data from a Stanford University research team involved in tagging and monitoring these sharks discovered they are far more mobile and reports of Great White sightings were often the same shark even though they may happen hundred or thousands of miles away.

“People see a Great White shark on the South California coast – and another hundreds of miles away,” said Dr. Ronald O’Dor, senior scientist at the Census of Marine Life. “We are now understanding that they are more mobile than we thought – and actually it’s the same shark appearing in different places.”

This research shed new light on how the scientific community viewed the shark population. Since the Great White was seen in different parts of the world, scientists were under the impression that although Great Whites are rare, they were not endangered. The new study has shown the Great White population has dropped below the 3,500 tigers that exist in the wild.

“I recently heard a report from the team that’s been tagging Great White sharks, added O’Dor. “When I heard there maybe fewer than tigers I thought ‘oh my god’ That is truly scary.”

While our fears of the shark may diminish any pity we may have on the population, losing such a majestic creature from the oceans is devastating. Public fear and misunderstanding has led to rampant controls and fishing to eradicate the beast from local waters. According to the International Shark Attack File, there are an average of 63 unprovoked shark attacks globally each year with an average fatality rate of 3.8 per year. To put this in perspective there are an average of 180 fatalities each year from automobile collisions with the seemingly harmless deer.

D’Odor said Great Whites, whose numbers have dropped by 90 per cent in 20 years are not only in danger from illegal fishing but also from being hit by boats and tangled up in fishing nets. Hoping for some form of coexistence to allow the sharks to have their space, he cites the use of tagging and monitoring devices on beaches in Australia to warn swimmers and surfers.

“The Australians have now got a system where they put tags on Great White sharks and they have receivers on the beaches so when a great white comes into the bay the receiver automatically makes a cell phone call and tells the guy in charge to close the beach. So we can co-exist with marine life.”

[via the Telegraph, International Shark Attack File]

Shovelnose Shark
(Rhinobatos sp.)
QUICK STATS
Minimum Tank Size: 1000 gallons
Care Level: Expert Only
Temperament: Aggressive
Reef Compatible: No
Lighting: Moderate
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4
Max. Size: 5′
Color Form: Black, Tan
Diet: Carnivore
Origin: South America
Family: Rhinobatidae
Reproduction: Egg Layer
Swim Level: Bottom

The Shovelnose Shark is also known as the Guitarfish, or Shovelnose Guitarfish. It is a bottom dwelling shark that has a very flattened appearance to its body. The head typically comes to a point at the snout.

To alleviate the chance of acquiring a wound and subsequent infection, a fine sand substrate is required in the aquarium, as its abdomen is easily scratched by a coarser substrate. It should never be exposed to copper-based medications.

When first introduced into the aquarium, small pieces of cleaned squid or live saltwater feeder shrimp should be used to entice this fish to eat. Then it may be fed shrimp, scallops or pieces of fresh marine fish.

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Port Jackson Shark
(Heterodontus portusjacksoni)
QUICK STATS
Minimum Tank Size: 1000 gallons
Care Level: Expert Only
Temperament: Aggressive
Reef Compatible: No
Lighting: Low to Moderate
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, sg 1.020-1.025, pH 8.1-8.4
Max. Size: 5′
Color Form: Black, Green
Diet: Carnivore
Origin: Australia
Family: Heterodontidae
Reproduction: Egg Layer
Swim Level: Middle to Bottom

The Port Jackson Shark is also known as the Bullhead or Horn Shark, and originates from the intertidal waters of Australia. These sharks have a spine at the front of both dorsal fins that can cause injury. Their body is an olive green color with darker green or black irregular markings. These sharks can be difficult to acclimate to aquarium life, but prove to be extremely hardy thereafter.

It is a difficult fish to acclimate and may not eat. When first introduced into the aquarium, small pieces of cleaned squid or live saltwater feeder shrimp should be used to entice this fish to eat. Then it may be fed shrimp, scallops or pieces of fresh marine fish.

Once eating well, it will eat virtually any crustacean or mollusk in the aquarium. It is a nocturnal feeder, and will also prey upon any sleeping fish small enough for it to eat whole.

It requires sand as the substrate since its abdomen is easily scratched by a coarser substrate and that could result in an infection. It should never be exposed to copper based medications.

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Epaulette Shark
(Hemiscyllium ocellatum)
QUICK STATS
Minimum Tank Size: 180 gallons
Care Level: Expert Only
Temperament: Aggressive
Reef Compatible: No
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, sg 1.020-1.025, pH 8.1-8.4
Max. Size: 3′ 6″
Color Form: Tan, Yellow
Diet: Carnivore
Compatibility: View Chart
Origin: Australia
Family: Orectolobidae

The Epaulette Shark is a fairly small bottom-dwelling shark. It has a series of small spots on a yellowish-tan body and is recognized by the large spot directly above each pectoral fin.

A tank of 180 gallons or larger should be adequate. It requires sand as the substrate in the aquarium. The Epaulette’s abdomen is easily scratched by a coarser substrate which could cause an infection. It should never be exposed to copper-based medications. The Epaulette Shark will eat invertebrates in the aquarium, and since it is primarily active at night, will prey upon any small, sleeping fish.

When first introduced into the aquarium, small pieces of cleaned squid or live saltwater feeder shrimp should be used to entice this fish to eat. Then it may be fed shrimp, scallops or pieces of fresh marine fish.

The Epaulette Shark should only be kept by expert aquarists.

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Horn Shark
(Heterodontus francisci)
QUICK STATS
Minimum Tank Size: 300 gallons
Care Level: Expert Only
Temperament: Aggressive
Reef Compatible: No
Lighting: Moderate
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, sg 1.020-1.025, pH 8.1-8.4
Max. Size: 4′
Color Form: Tan
Diet: Carnivore
Origin: Eastern Pacific
Family: Heterodontidae
Swim Level: Bottom

The Horn Shark is also known as the Bullhead Shark. It has a spine at the front of the dorsal fin that can cause injury. It may have a series of small spots marking the body.

It is a difficult fish to acclimate and may not eat. The best way to encourage the Horn Shark to eat is by offering small pieces of cleaned squid or fresh water ghost shrimp. The squid has a strong odor and helps to entice its appetite.

When first introduced into the aquarium, small pieces of cleaned squid or live saltwater feeder shrimp should be used to entice this fish to eat. Then it may be fed shrimp, scallops or pieces of fresh marine fish. Once eating well, it will eat virtually any crustacean or mollusk in the aquarium. It is a nocturnal feeder, and will also prey upon any sleeping fish small enough for it to eat whole.

It requires sand as the substrate since its abdomen is easily scratched by a coarser substrate and that could result in an infection. It should never be exposed to copper based medications.

Shop for Horn Shark at LiveAquaria.com