Air Pocket in Shark Egg?
- Thread starter kntrygrl4lyfe
- Start date
No, that's not normal. It's not good either. One reason I always stress to people never to lift a casing from the water. Is this a newly aquired egg, or one you've had for a little while? I can walk you through on how to expell the air safely, but no, air pockets should not be in the egg.
Thanks for the reply. I thought something wasn't right.
I just got it yesterday. He brought it out of the water to put it in the bag and that's when it started to float. I asked him about it and he's like oh it's normal! There is still water in there! Don't worry! I was like they don't normally float around the top of the ocean dude! When I brought him home and put him in the tank, I was holding it and went to go clip it and the little air bubble came out. He is looking good today, justa squirming around in there.
I just got it yesterday. He brought it out of the water to put it in the bag and that's when it started to float. I asked him about it and he's like oh it's normal! There is still water in there! Don't worry! I was like they don't normally float around the top of the ocean dude! When I brought him home and put him in the tank, I was holding it and went to go clip it and the little air bubble came out. He is looking good today, justa squirming around in there.
Yea absolutely not normal, and if I were you, I'd go back into that shop and ask to speak to his manager and give them a little bit of an edju-ma-cation on the topic. Air pockets in casings happen when there is a significant change in pressure - i.e when the egg is lifted out of the water and moved around. This is because the embriotic fluids of which fill the egg and surround the shark and yolk, are denser than seawater, thus resulting in little loss of fluids while development is taking place, and keeping the egg "inflated" without fluxuations. When lifted out of the water, eggs can end up "sucking" air through their seams, creating harmful bubbles within the embriotic fluids - which can actually prove fatal, not only by displacing the fluids, exposing the shark to air, but also by bubbles being injested. Some exchange of seawater in an egg is natural and expected, as these casings are anything but "air tight", and as the fetus grows, the casing (comprised of secretions from the mother) begins to decay and wear thin, thus allowing for vital oxygen to enter, and act as a sort of "rinsing agent" within the egg. Without going totally geek on you, that's the easiest explanation I can think of, lol.
But at no point, ever is an air pocket "totally normal" as that guy told you, and it's actually something of which you'd want to be quite concerned about. Expelling it is easy, but you need to do it the right way to avoid loss of vital fluids within the casing, and as not to harm the developing shark, or it's yolk.
This is best done by laying the egg flat on it's side on the bottom of the tank. Air will naturally rise and collect on the upward facing sidewall of the casing. A little and GENTLE jiggle is fine, to make sure smaller bubbles are released and collect with the main pocket.
Once you can clearly see the air pock, tilt the egg slowly up onto it's end. The baby should naturally sink lower to the opposite side, away from your hands. Because the seams are not "air tight", you will be able to gently "burp" the casing, expelling the air. But you need to make sure this is done slowly, and very carefully, as you only want to expell the air and not additional embrionic fluids. Usually a few gentle pinches in sucession should push the air out. It's ok if the egg then sucks in seawater, don't worry. So long as you do not cause the egg to break open or collapse. If the air has already expelled it's self completely from the egg, and your shark (seen though the casing layers, or by candeling) is active and seemingly unaffected, then you can leave it be, and simply monitor the pups growth and activity while development continues.
But at no point, ever is an air pocket "totally normal" as that guy told you, and it's actually something of which you'd want to be quite concerned about. Expelling it is easy, but you need to do it the right way to avoid loss of vital fluids within the casing, and as not to harm the developing shark, or it's yolk.
This is best done by laying the egg flat on it's side on the bottom of the tank. Air will naturally rise and collect on the upward facing sidewall of the casing. A little and GENTLE jiggle is fine, to make sure smaller bubbles are released and collect with the main pocket.
Once you can clearly see the air pock, tilt the egg slowly up onto it's end. The baby should naturally sink lower to the opposite side, away from your hands. Because the seams are not "air tight", you will be able to gently "burp" the casing, expelling the air. But you need to make sure this is done slowly, and very carefully, as you only want to expell the air and not additional embrionic fluids. Usually a few gentle pinches in sucession should push the air out. It's ok if the egg then sucks in seawater, don't worry. So long as you do not cause the egg to break open or collapse. If the air has already expelled it's self completely from the egg, and your shark (seen though the casing layers, or by candeling) is active and seemingly unaffected, then you can leave it be, and simply monitor the pups growth and activity while development continues.
Thanks so much! You can go all "geek" if you like. lol. I like a detailed explanation of questions I ask. I don't just want to hear it's not normal, I want to know the full-on details, like you explained to me. I love to learn anything and everything of something I have.
I will definitely go back and let the manager know. Just common sense I didn't think you could take it out of the water like that.
Thanks again
I will definitely go back and let the manager know. Just common sense I didn't think you could take it out of the water like that.
Thanks again
Guys at our LFS would take the egg out of the water so we could see the shark inside. We weren't even looking to buy a shark! Just checking them out. I'll have to see if they have bubbles next time I go there if they have any.
I received your PM, thank you for writing. Sorry I didn't get back to you sooner, I was away from the computer all weekend.
I contemplated whether to answer back in a PM, or provide the information within your thread, and ultimately decided that it might be beneficial to other members to have this information as well. Please don't be embarassed or ashamed, or think that I am calling you out by posting here, as that is not my intention at all.
Your concern was that you think the shark may have died because you can't see it breathing and it hasn't been moving?
While I won't deny that it's possible he has infact died, that is not always the case and you should never jump to conclusions too quickly, and I'll tell you why.
Developing sharks, as with human babies, have fluctuations in activity levels dependant on a number of factors. At times they may be all wiggles, and react to the smallest of stimuli (I.E - gentle movement of the casing, bright light brought on by candeling, and even loud noises). Other times however, they may appear to be absolutely motionless - thus giving one the impression they have died. This isn't something to freak out over though. Though we'd like to think that so long as they are moving, everything is A-ok, and likewise, if they are still, disaster is abound...it's simply not a standard of which would prove reliable.
Just as there are several reasons a shark might exhibit high levels of activity, the same is true for periods of reduced, or nearly non-existant activity. For starters, as the embryo develops, it's body is undergoing tremendous changes and on a cellular level, exerting monumental levels of energy. We consider them as "growth spurts", but biologically speaking, there's nothing "spurty" about it, rather it's a process of which during certain developments - as with the forming of their dermal denticles, and nervous system - physical energy is depleted, resulting in less than desired (by us) movement. An easier way to understand it, might be to think of this as "Naps" or periods of time when they are "sleeping". Though they aren't actually sleeping, in the form that we associate with that idea, they actually do enter into semi-comotose phases during development, where to an untrained eye, one would swear they were dead.
I've personally witnessed and studied these patters and oddities in development, and I won't lie, there have been several times even I was second-guessing myself, and thinking that the animal was if not completely dead, slipping fast. However, each time, within a few days, it's like the "alarm clock" would go off, and the little ones would come "back to life" and have their periodic wiggle-fests.
It's important to note that while you may not SEE a baby shark breathing, it doesn't mean that it's not, and depending on the age of your shark, differing stages in development make it hard for one to discern anatomy and biological functions unless they are exceptionally familiar.
Don't write your little one off as a goner just yet. Be patient and you just might get a suprise. Below I've included a few ways to best ensure a healthy and stress free environment for your egg, as well as ways to determine with full certainty, that your shark has expired.
Keep it Stress-Free and Healthy:
* Don't ever leave casings on the bottom of the tank; live sands can carry with them a host of invaders which can damage the casing and threaten the shark inside - bacteria, fungi, parasitic copepods, bristle worms, "cleaners" in your tank, such as hermits and snails, as well as sifters, such as starfish.
* Secure the casing against a panel of your tank by way of a veggie clip (Which can be found at any pet retail store), or by another form of suspention. Ensure that it rests in an area with reasonable current (though nothing direct), and is free from the risk of collision with tank decor, live rock, or equipment.
* Do not place a casing in a tank with territorial or highly aggressive animals, as they may bite into or tear at the edges of the egg, causing damage and even death to the developing shark.
* Light is fine, but do not place the egg in an area of extreme lighting (as with metal halide) for extended periods of time.
* Keep tank temperatures and parameters consistent, and when suspending the egg, place it in the middle of the water column. Too low and benthic animals will investigate and potentially cause harm. Too high and temperatures become unstable on surface levels, fluctuating with atmospheric and lighting-induced temperatures.
* Aside from necessary monitoring, or movement to protect the casing, avoid excessive direct contact. As the shark matures, the natural protective layers of the egg start to break down and decompose. Because of this, the integrity of the once thick and leathery "shell" is compromised, and you can risk rupturing the egg should it be messed with too much.
How To Determine If It Died:
* Note the coloration and physical state of the casing... Do you notice paling of the pigmentation (going from a ruddy brown to a mottled sandy color, or from a deep green/black to a "milky-like" faded appearance)?
--If yes, this is an indication that the casing is deteriorating prematurely, which could indicate decomposition from the inside-out.
* Feel it .... Does it feel "squishy" or slimy to the touch? Even hornsharks, who's eggs appear as a silken corkscrew possess a unique leathery feeling to them. They should never be slimy or slippery to the touch, but rather, feel like a wet washcloth - in texture, not structurally (as with bamboo eggs), giving that soft yet not smooth surface, where you can distinguish all of the ridges and fillaments protruding off it. Or as a leaf of a plant might (like with horn sharks), smooth, but not slippery, feeling very much like silicon might...(run your finger along the inside seam of your tank where the silicone is clean and you will understand what I mean. It will be smooth, but with resistance, not slippery or slimy). Likewise, it should never be "squishy". Though not rock solid, or hard, as chicken eggs are, shark eggs are pretty structurally sound, and designed to handle being jiggled a bit in natural currents, or in between rocks. They should hold their shape, with no "dimples" or areas of which are concaved. They should feel firm - not hard - but firm to the touch.
-- An egg which is either exceptionally soft - requiring little pressure to collapse it's structure, or of which gives way immediately to any force against it, no matter how minute would indicate decomposition of the fibrous materials casings are composed of. This could be from a genetic mutation, the casing not acquiring as thick of a layer of secretions from the mother in-utero, a bacterial/fungal infestation, or because of degeneration of internal structures (one being the shark). A slimy egg is also not something you want to encounter, and 9/10 times is directly caused by decomposition.
* Really look it over along the seams.... depending on which species of egg one possesses, this may mean you look for different things...when speaking of a bamboo shark specifically, look around the "seams" of the casing. Picture it as two pieces of bread placed together... follow from either tip, down along the sidewalls to ensure there are no tears or sections "blown out".
-- Damaged casings bring with them a slew of potential threats to a developing shark, and even though they might not result in an immediate death, they significantly raise the risk factor by way of creating an entry point for bacteria and fungi, parasites and predators, in addition to compromising the structural integrity of the casing in whole - lessoning the protection the shark has from being moved around, getting knocked into something, or otherwise. Additionally it will no longer protect against toxins, air bubbles, etc.
* REALLY look for movement ... this may mean you have to be patient and keep your fingers crossed. If more than a week passes with no noticable movement, assumption of death becomes more reasonable. If the shark fails to react to stimuli, as listed above, and has not repositioned its self at all, but rather has remained stationary, exactly as it was on the last date of noted activity, then you may have to consider death as an explanation. Pay very close attention, and if you can, take frequent pictures throughout each day to offer a solid reference as to whether the animal has moved. (Because trust me, you won't be able to notice a slight repositioning on your own). Having a photographic slideshow of sorts, to refer back to will greatly aid you in determining absolute stillness.
If the shark is in it's latter stages of development and the casing has naturally thinned enough to clearly see the entire body of the shark, including it's eyes, gills and mouth, then make certain to pay close attention, looking for even the slightest of gill movement, "yawning", eye movement, etc.
If you notice any debri within the egg, or unnatural appearances on the body - such as discoloration, emaciation, or lesions on the body... then you need to be prepared to accept the idea of death, as these all indicate decomposition.
There are many things you can do to offer your little one a healthy development and great start at life, but likewise, there are some things which will simply be out of your control. Raising a shark from an embrionic point, to adulthood is not as easy as one might think and the mortality rate of egg-bound or newly hatched sharks is much higher than those brought into a private aquaria as established and thriving juveniles. Don't give up just yet, and whatever you do, don't remove the egg from the water unless and until you can without a doubt pronounce death. Patience is key as well as contant monitoring. In all honestly, statistically speaking, you run a great risk of mortality, but that doesn't mean it's a done deal, and with a little bit of patience, a lot of skill and dedication, you could find yourself a proud "parent" very soon. But for now, watch, watch, watch, and take notes on what you see, and take pictures as often as you can. If in a couple days there is still nothing resembling life, feel free to PM me again, and I will give you my number and walk you through a few more advanced ways to investigate before you throw in the towel. I wish you all the best, and keep me informed. Hope this has helped some.
I contemplated whether to answer back in a PM, or provide the information within your thread, and ultimately decided that it might be beneficial to other members to have this information as well. Please don't be embarassed or ashamed, or think that I am calling you out by posting here, as that is not my intention at all.
Your concern was that you think the shark may have died because you can't see it breathing and it hasn't been moving?
While I won't deny that it's possible he has infact died, that is not always the case and you should never jump to conclusions too quickly, and I'll tell you why.
Developing sharks, as with human babies, have fluctuations in activity levels dependant on a number of factors. At times they may be all wiggles, and react to the smallest of stimuli (I.E - gentle movement of the casing, bright light brought on by candeling, and even loud noises). Other times however, they may appear to be absolutely motionless - thus giving one the impression they have died. This isn't something to freak out over though. Though we'd like to think that so long as they are moving, everything is A-ok, and likewise, if they are still, disaster is abound...it's simply not a standard of which would prove reliable.
Just as there are several reasons a shark might exhibit high levels of activity, the same is true for periods of reduced, or nearly non-existant activity. For starters, as the embryo develops, it's body is undergoing tremendous changes and on a cellular level, exerting monumental levels of energy. We consider them as "growth spurts", but biologically speaking, there's nothing "spurty" about it, rather it's a process of which during certain developments - as with the forming of their dermal denticles, and nervous system - physical energy is depleted, resulting in less than desired (by us) movement. An easier way to understand it, might be to think of this as "Naps" or periods of time when they are "sleeping". Though they aren't actually sleeping, in the form that we associate with that idea, they actually do enter into semi-comotose phases during development, where to an untrained eye, one would swear they were dead.
I've personally witnessed and studied these patters and oddities in development, and I won't lie, there have been several times even I was second-guessing myself, and thinking that the animal was if not completely dead, slipping fast. However, each time, within a few days, it's like the "alarm clock" would go off, and the little ones would come "back to life" and have their periodic wiggle-fests.
It's important to note that while you may not SEE a baby shark breathing, it doesn't mean that it's not, and depending on the age of your shark, differing stages in development make it hard for one to discern anatomy and biological functions unless they are exceptionally familiar.
Don't write your little one off as a goner just yet. Be patient and you just might get a suprise. Below I've included a few ways to best ensure a healthy and stress free environment for your egg, as well as ways to determine with full certainty, that your shark has expired.
Keep it Stress-Free and Healthy:
* Don't ever leave casings on the bottom of the tank; live sands can carry with them a host of invaders which can damage the casing and threaten the shark inside - bacteria, fungi, parasitic copepods, bristle worms, "cleaners" in your tank, such as hermits and snails, as well as sifters, such as starfish.
* Secure the casing against a panel of your tank by way of a veggie clip (Which can be found at any pet retail store), or by another form of suspention. Ensure that it rests in an area with reasonable current (though nothing direct), and is free from the risk of collision with tank decor, live rock, or equipment.
* Do not place a casing in a tank with territorial or highly aggressive animals, as they may bite into or tear at the edges of the egg, causing damage and even death to the developing shark.
* Light is fine, but do not place the egg in an area of extreme lighting (as with metal halide) for extended periods of time.
* Keep tank temperatures and parameters consistent, and when suspending the egg, place it in the middle of the water column. Too low and benthic animals will investigate and potentially cause harm. Too high and temperatures become unstable on surface levels, fluctuating with atmospheric and lighting-induced temperatures.
* Aside from necessary monitoring, or movement to protect the casing, avoid excessive direct contact. As the shark matures, the natural protective layers of the egg start to break down and decompose. Because of this, the integrity of the once thick and leathery "shell" is compromised, and you can risk rupturing the egg should it be messed with too much.
How To Determine If It Died:
* Note the coloration and physical state of the casing... Do you notice paling of the pigmentation (going from a ruddy brown to a mottled sandy color, or from a deep green/black to a "milky-like" faded appearance)?
--If yes, this is an indication that the casing is deteriorating prematurely, which could indicate decomposition from the inside-out.
* Feel it .... Does it feel "squishy" or slimy to the touch? Even hornsharks, who's eggs appear as a silken corkscrew possess a unique leathery feeling to them. They should never be slimy or slippery to the touch, but rather, feel like a wet washcloth - in texture, not structurally (as with bamboo eggs), giving that soft yet not smooth surface, where you can distinguish all of the ridges and fillaments protruding off it. Or as a leaf of a plant might (like with horn sharks), smooth, but not slippery, feeling very much like silicon might...(run your finger along the inside seam of your tank where the silicone is clean and you will understand what I mean. It will be smooth, but with resistance, not slippery or slimy). Likewise, it should never be "squishy". Though not rock solid, or hard, as chicken eggs are, shark eggs are pretty structurally sound, and designed to handle being jiggled a bit in natural currents, or in between rocks. They should hold their shape, with no "dimples" or areas of which are concaved. They should feel firm - not hard - but firm to the touch.
-- An egg which is either exceptionally soft - requiring little pressure to collapse it's structure, or of which gives way immediately to any force against it, no matter how minute would indicate decomposition of the fibrous materials casings are composed of. This could be from a genetic mutation, the casing not acquiring as thick of a layer of secretions from the mother in-utero, a bacterial/fungal infestation, or because of degeneration of internal structures (one being the shark). A slimy egg is also not something you want to encounter, and 9/10 times is directly caused by decomposition.
* Really look it over along the seams.... depending on which species of egg one possesses, this may mean you look for different things...when speaking of a bamboo shark specifically, look around the "seams" of the casing. Picture it as two pieces of bread placed together... follow from either tip, down along the sidewalls to ensure there are no tears or sections "blown out".
-- Damaged casings bring with them a slew of potential threats to a developing shark, and even though they might not result in an immediate death, they significantly raise the risk factor by way of creating an entry point for bacteria and fungi, parasites and predators, in addition to compromising the structural integrity of the casing in whole - lessoning the protection the shark has from being moved around, getting knocked into something, or otherwise. Additionally it will no longer protect against toxins, air bubbles, etc.
* REALLY look for movement ... this may mean you have to be patient and keep your fingers crossed. If more than a week passes with no noticable movement, assumption of death becomes more reasonable. If the shark fails to react to stimuli, as listed above, and has not repositioned its self at all, but rather has remained stationary, exactly as it was on the last date of noted activity, then you may have to consider death as an explanation. Pay very close attention, and if you can, take frequent pictures throughout each day to offer a solid reference as to whether the animal has moved. (Because trust me, you won't be able to notice a slight repositioning on your own). Having a photographic slideshow of sorts, to refer back to will greatly aid you in determining absolute stillness.
If the shark is in it's latter stages of development and the casing has naturally thinned enough to clearly see the entire body of the shark, including it's eyes, gills and mouth, then make certain to pay close attention, looking for even the slightest of gill movement, "yawning", eye movement, etc.
If you notice any debri within the egg, or unnatural appearances on the body - such as discoloration, emaciation, or lesions on the body... then you need to be prepared to accept the idea of death, as these all indicate decomposition.
There are many things you can do to offer your little one a healthy development and great start at life, but likewise, there are some things which will simply be out of your control. Raising a shark from an embrionic point, to adulthood is not as easy as one might think and the mortality rate of egg-bound or newly hatched sharks is much higher than those brought into a private aquaria as established and thriving juveniles. Don't give up just yet, and whatever you do, don't remove the egg from the water unless and until you can without a doubt pronounce death. Patience is key as well as contant monitoring. In all honestly, statistically speaking, you run a great risk of mortality, but that doesn't mean it's a done deal, and with a little bit of patience, a lot of skill and dedication, you could find yourself a proud "parent" very soon. But for now, watch, watch, watch, and take notes on what you see, and take pictures as often as you can. If in a couple days there is still nothing resembling life, feel free to PM me again, and I will give you my number and walk you through a few more advanced ways to investigate before you throw in the towel. I wish you all the best, and keep me informed. Hope this has helped some.
Thanks for all the info. I'm sure a lot of other people on here can benefit from this. I'm not so much embarrassed as I am sad about it.
I sat and watched him for a long time and didn't see anything. I waited till the next day and still nothing. I noticed that his black bands started to fade over the night. They were not as dark as the days before. I wasn't sure if this was because he was dead. I called the store and told them what I thought happened. I brought him up there and they watched him for a good while as well. They are not the most knowledgeable when it comes to this, but they thought he was too. I wish I would have been a little more patient and waited on your reply. It was depressing to see it looking lifeless just sitting in my tank. Now I'm even more sad if he was still alive.
I sat and watched him for a long time and didn't see anything. I waited till the next day and still nothing. I noticed that his black bands started to fade over the night. They were not as dark as the days before. I wasn't sure if this was because he was dead. I called the store and told them what I thought happened. I brought him up there and they watched him for a good while as well. They are not the most knowledgeable when it comes to this, but they thought he was too. I wish I would have been a little more patient and waited on your reply. It was depressing to see it looking lifeless just sitting in my tank. Now I'm even more sad if he was still alive.
Hey
Thanks for the info it is really useful! I bought a bamboo shark egg 2 weeks ago... When it was placed in my tank it began to float, I had read about burping the egg and done so and it seemed to work.... Now im just waiting with the little guy placed on an alge clip in my tank.
It has no signs of deteriation but when I shine a light through the egg there is no sign of any shark. Im waiting but just wondering how long I should give it? and if there is anyway of telling the shark is alive without being able to see him?
Cheers luke
Thanks for the info it is really useful! I bought a bamboo shark egg 2 weeks ago... When it was placed in my tank it began to float, I had read about burping the egg and done so and it seemed to work.... Now im just waiting with the little guy placed on an alge clip in my tank.
It has no signs of deteriation but when I shine a light through the egg there is no sign of any shark. Im waiting but just wondering how long I should give it? and if there is anyway of telling the shark is alive without being able to see him?
Cheers luke