Horn shark temp range

[nitrofish1]

I have the book Aquarium Sharks and Rays, its pretty up to date timewise, and it states that horn sharks, being temperate in climate, should be kept at 55-70F, yet on many websites, and in many tanks, they are housed in temps 70+F such as black tip reef's 1700 gallon shark tank etc.

Which is right?

 

[Brenden]

Californa Horn Sharks come from the coastal waters off of California, go figure lol Those waters are fairly cool, and most refer to Horns as cooler water specimens. I wouldn't house them in anything over 70F if it were up to me, I would keep the temperature around 65-68.

 

[krj-1168]

Okay - first off "Aquarium Sharks & Rays" is rather dated, not up to date. 2nd - some of the articles that Scott Micheal has done for various Fish magazines contradicts the temperature range for the California Horn Shark that he stated in "Aquarium Sharks & Rays". 3rd point - this is one of reason why it's always good to do your research, and see what prefessional biologists have to say about the species.

There has actually be quite a bit of scientific study on the California Horn Sharks (Heterodontus francisci) - both in captivity & in the wild. And most researchers tend to state that they seem to prefer water temps of greater than 70F. Especially the juveniles, which seem to favor shallow coastal waters.

http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/39333

Then look at the water temps found thru out it's core range(where the population density is the highest). The northern point of it's core range is to about Santa Barbara, CA, and the Southern point is to about Cabo San Lucas on the southern tip of Baja. The water temps off Santa Barbara tend to range from about 57F(winter)-66F(summer), while off Cabo San Lucas the water temps range from about 71F(winter) to 84F (summer).
As a result the average water temps thru out the California Horn Shark's range is about 64F(winter) to 75F(summer). So keeping a California Horn at 70-75F(21-24C) isn't bad, but is very much within the range of their normal perferred water temps.

Note: the guy that kept the horn with the young blacktip - also kept his tank at about 72-74F(22-23C).

I've also heard of aquarists that have kept California Horns at water temps of 77-79F (25-26C) without any major problems. But personally I wouldn't recommend those water temps for very long - since it will increase the Shark's growth rateto above normal.

Also Heterodontids as a group tend to be warm temperate to subtropical eater sharks - which is to say that they usually prefer water from the mid 60's to upper 70's. The exception being the Port Jackson's Shark of Southern Australia - which does seem to prefer water temps of 57-70F(14-21C).

 

[nitrofish1]

Okay - first off "Aquarium Sharks & Rays" is rather dated, not up to date. 2nd - some of the articles that Scott Micheal has done for various Fish magazines contradicts the temperature range for the California Horn Shark that he stated in "Aquarium Sharks & Rays". 3rd point - this is one of reason why it's always good to do your research, and see what prefessional biologists have to say about the species.

There has actually be quite a bit of scientific study on the California Horn Sharks (Heterodontus francisci) - both in captivity & in the wild. And most researchers tend to state that they seem to prefer water temps of greater than 70F. Especially the juveniles, which seem to favor shallow coastal waters.

http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/39333

Then look at the water temps found thru out it's core range(where the population density is the highest). The northern point of it's core range is to about Santa Barbara, CA, and the Southern point is to about Cabo San Lucas on the southern tip of Baja. The water temps off Santa Barbara tend to range from about 57F(winter)-66F(summer), while off Cabo San Lucas the water temps range from about 71F(winter) to 84F (summer).
As a result the average water temps thru out the California Horn Shark's range is about 64F(winter) to 75F(summer). So keeping a California Horn at 70-75F(21-24C) isn't bad, but is very much within the range of their normal perferred water temps.

Note: the guy that kept the horn with the young blacktip - also kept his tank at about 72-74F(22-23C).

I've also heard of aquarists that have kept California Horns at water temps of 77-79F (25-26C) without any major problems. But personally I wouldn't recommend those water temps for very long - since it will increase the Shark's growth rateto above normal.

Also Heterodontids as a group tend to be warm temperate to subtropical eater sharks - which is to say that they usually prefer water from the mid 60's to upper 70's. The exception being the Port Jackson's Shark of Southern Australia - which does seem to prefer water temps of 57-70F(14-21C).

Wow, thanks for the info. Ill keep that in mind

 

[krj-1168]

Here's the preferred water temps ranges for Heterodontids (Horn/Bullhead Sharks) that are found in captivity.

California Horn(H. francisci) - 64-75F (18-24C).

Port Jackson's (H. portusjacksoni) - 59-68F (15-20C)

Crested Port Jackson (H.galetus) - 61-72F (16-22C)

Japanese Bullhead (H. japonicus) - 66-77F (19-25C)

Zebra Bullhead (H. zebra) - 66-77F (19-25C)

 

[Crumbs]

I distributor in Japan informed me that his Zebra and Japanese Bullheads are collected in temp less then 60F so it really depends on the region of collection.

 

[nitrofish1]

Here's the preferred water temps ranges for Heterodontids (Horn/Bullhead Sharks) that are found in captivity.

California Horn(H. francisci) - 64-75F (18-24C).

Port Jackson's (H. portusjacksoni) - 59-68F (15-20C)

Crested Port Jackson (H.galetus) - 61-72F (16-22C)

Japanese Bullhead (H. japonicus) - 66-77F (19-25C)

Zebra Bullhead (H. zebra) - 66-77F (19-25C)

House a horn shark with a brownbanded bamboo shark? the temp ranges overlap...

 

[Zoodiver]

Cali horns and bamboos have been done before. You're bamboo will grow slowly in the cooler water, and eat a alot less while the horn's metabolism will be through the roof.

 

[krj-1168]

Well - I'm not suprised that japanese ditributors often collect Japanese & Zebra in water temps of less than 60F. After all the water temps just off the japanese coast(near Tokyo) is similar to that of Southern California(near Los Angeles). And Japanese & Zebra Bullheads are known to tolerate of waters in the mid to upper 50's just as well as most other Heterodontids. So it not only locality, but also the time of year.

But again - to get the full picture of what the species can tolerate & prefers - you have to look at the entire range of the species. And Japan is at the Northern end of the range for both species. Zebra Bullheads are found as far south as Northern Australia. And Japanese Bullheads are found as far south as the South China Sea, & Taiwan. Both Northern Australia & Taiwan have water temps that range from a winter low of about 70F(21 C) to a Summer high of 81-84F(27-29C).

And Yes - it is possible to house a California Horn with a Bamboo Shark - there have been private aquarists that have done that successfully.

But the best thing to remember is that with Heterodontids, like most other sharks - keeping them at the warmer end (upper 70's or greater) of their temperature range for prolonged periods(for years), - will greatly increase the growth rate(in juveniles), and ultimately reduce the life expectance. While keeping them at the lower end (near 60's or less) - will slow their growth & maturing rate(in juveniles), and extend their life span. So the best bet is some where in the middle.

 

[krj-1168]

Yeah - it's possible to keep Cali Horns & Bamboos together - but not really advisiable since they have different habitat preferences & different water temp preferences.

The best captive habitats that I've seen for Horns/bullheads(Heterodontids) - either are single species habitats or paired with Smoothhounds, temperate water dwarf wobbegongs, & temperate water carpetsharks (like Blind sharks).

While the best captive habitats for Bamboo sharks - seems to be that of shallow tropical tidal pools - pair with epaulettes & coral catsharks.