Leopard Shark.

[goofyreefer]

Yeah i guess we judge too quickly when people make up stories and then post them. It starts off about keeping 8 inch Leopards in a 230 gallon tank. Then you say:

"I used to volunteer at the New York aquarium and they have a Leopard Shark exhibit there. I was going to donate it to them when it got too big for my tank."

Then after that post we get this. But keep in mind we were still talking about 8 inch Leopards.

"Would leapard sharks live in the waters of New York? I have a friend in the Bronx whose leapard shark outgrew his 150 gallon tank which is why i posted this thread in the first place. He wanted me to take it. But now that I know I can't, do you think the shark will live if thrown into the wild?"

Why would you be asking that if you were going to donate it when it got too big to the New York Aquarium???

If your going to make up a story at least put some thought through the entire story. For all we know this could be about a Goldfish and not a shark at all but I guess we judge too quickly

What help could you be looking for when you change the story. If you have/had a problem people here would be more than happy to help and as far as insulting you I can't see it written. These are all opinions which we are ALL entitled to. Weather you like what they say or not is up to you but I don't think anything that has been written in this topic is not true it's just opinion and when you started this thread you opened yourself up to others opinions.

 

[IcantTHINKofONE]

Someone posted that the aquarium may not take him, or did you overread that? Yea I wanted to know if I could keep a leapard since a friend of mine (you can e-mail him yourself if you don't believe me) has kept one in a 150. I was going to get the 8" at the store or take his, depending on the info from this post. Now, with the info, I'm not going to do either and my friend is having trouble having the aquarium take the shark (I worked in the education department office, not in animal care). Then I get replies like goofyreefer's latest accusation, beerbaron calling me ridiculous, immoral, and shameful, and goofyreefer earlier stating that my post is a waste of time. Goofyreefer, if that's the case then more ignorant incidents are going to occur because instead of explaining to people the right way, like danmhippo, eddi, and some others did, you're going to drive people away for their lack of knowledge. Well excuse me for not being an expert on the topic and having a few questions!

 

[eddi]

ok folks, let's all settle down. Whether the original poster has the shark or is about to get one or in thinking about getting one, the question was still asked and deserves to be answered.

There are people on this board, as in every aspect of life, that think they are better than others and have all the answers; there are people on this board, as in ever aspect of life, that act before thinking and get themselves in trouble.

I see this board as a medium to bring the two groups together. Hopefully he doe snot have the shark and we have helped save an animal. Hopefully other will read this and learn.

Isn't that why we are here?


Eddi

 

[IcantTHINKofONE]

Thank you Eddi, and if it's of any consolation, no I do not have the shark, and because of this post I will not get one. My friend however still has his but the Bronx Zoo said they will take him into their new saltwater exhibit as soon as it is ready for it. I hope the shark makes it in the 150 Gallon until the zoo has their exhibit set up. Thanx Again.
Nick.

 

[beerbaron]

I apologize for coming off so blunt, but so many of our problems in our environment are due to our introduction of exotic and possibly invasive species into the wild. Bag worms, were introduced and eliminated tree species a couple years after they were introduced. So the Europeans introduced starlings, the bag worms natural predator and they proceeded to eliminate entire species of bugs. Which creates a domino effect in the entire ecosystem.

Lack of knowledge with aquariums or hobbies due to inexperience is natural and expected.
Lack of knowledge with the environment is irresponsible.
Thank you for asking first because if you hadn’t it would be ignorance.

If, by taking your friend’s leopard to keep it from being dumped into the bay then you are doing the right thing. Especially if it is moving to a larger tank.

Please do not support a store that sells these creatures because they usually end up in the situation that your friend’s is in.

Again thanks for asking first, but no animals should ever be released into the wild unless it is done by an experienced proffesional.

 

[goofyreefer]

What can I say. I'm sorry if I offended you. But the bottom line is don't get a shark and hopefully your friend will be able to donate his.

 

[reefsRcool]

bump

 

[Marcosreef]

bump, why bump? :roll:

 

[IcantTHINKofONE]

Wow, reefsrcool, you have made this a hobby in itself to make people hate me. i have my opinions, you have yours. No need to post that I'm the dumbest person alive or bump posts so people will reread them and think even less of me. I haven't attacked you in any personal way, even though I could have, so why must you attack me? Get over it, Go on with your life, You're obsessing over this.

 

[Ritteri&Bubbles]

Im going to say one thing here:

This board about a year ago used to thrive with lots of members, and the traffic has gone down considerably because of constant abuse towards each other on posting(which I was at one point just as guilty as anyone)over different points of views or ideas etc. How bout we all give it a rest for once and for all, I havent even begun to read this post, but why bother? Its pretty obvious where its going...........nowhere real fast.

 

[Anonymous]

Alright, J@C, R&B, whoever you are this moment. Like you belong telling anyone not to debate. :roll: You have never debated a topic on this site, just flamed. This is a conversation about a subject that people feel very passionate about and rightly so. As danmhippo mentioned, look at what the rabbits did to Australia. And can we talk about what the snakehead fish could do to our waters?

Sure, some people gave short, opinionated, perhaps snotty replies, but IcantTHINKofONE quickly went from a responsible person that used to work at an aquarium and care about the fish and the environment to one that asked, "What if a leopard shark was released in NY?" Now that was just a horrid question.

cantTHINK, ditch the shark idea - there are plenty of other animals that you may be capable of accommodating that could satisfy your need.

J@C, I'm sure you and your imaginary posse will flame me now.

Chucker, I'm sorry for what I am about to do.

 

[liquid]

Let's keep it friendly. reefsRcool, you've been warned in a previous thread.

Shane

 

[wasabi]

for what its worth. i set up a new 325 gallon reef i asked and read about all my fish additions. i really liked the sohal tang. almost every reply was negative. except for one reefer and he had problems with his sohal. they are extremely aggresive. needless to say there's a sohal in my tank. i love the fish. he's an exciting addition. i also read and was told that i shouldn't add a gren brittle star. ive had my green brittle for 1.5 years he's one of the coolest creatures in my tank and is 18 inches across. hes never harmd a thing. i'll have to say that almost all the advice iv'e recieved on these boards is helpful and ussually right on the money, but the bottom line is i'm going to do what i'm going to do. bu i can tell you this I ordred a 3 inch arrowana 2 years ago now i,m looking for a very large tank to put a very large fish in he,s outgrown his 125. so unless you can come up with he funds to support your 8 foot shark i'd $#!t can the idea.

 

[Cabreradavid]

People,

I would urge those who have the temptation to flame those who ask "ignorant etc" questions to take a minute and think about it. Those who have a great deal of experience in keeping aquaria and/or Ecology and conservation may take many concepts, rules, and ideas for granted. I have taught marine science for many years to students aged 15-college as well as seminars for adults. You would be amazed what people don't know (I am not implicating anyone, just speaking in general) about ecology, conservation, marine science etc. If a person shows enough initiative to ask questions in a forum and is not rude, flaming them serves no constructive purpose. In fact, it casts those of us who champion conservation and good aquarium practice as rigid and intransient. In my experience the take no prisoners approach only serves to widen the gulf between those of us who champion sound practice and those who are "ignorant". I realize many questions are asked repeatedly. In this case one can be encouraged to use the search engine. Perhaps even a commonly asked questions board could be added.

Dmc

 

[Chucker]

Sage words from Cabreradavid. We could all do well to heed them.

As for the commonly asked questions, that's what the sticky FAQ thread at the top of this page is for.

 

[eddi]

I said the very same thing about 30 posts ago but he said it so much better!

Thank you David.


Eddi