Local Sharks.....

[MASS-Diver]

Have you ever seen a shark in MA waters?

I've starting diving at a spot which may well be a hot spot for sand tigers and I have to admit the prospect of seeing a 9 footer in low vis has me a little rattled.

What have your experinces with local sharks been?

 

[Spectre]

Really?

I've seen a few sand sharks...e.g. dogfish. One on my first dive on the cape, and a number near the rocks at high tide.

I hit something in the boat a couple years back, it was big, but it was gone before we got back to see what we hit [although I saw a fin flap]. I thought it might have been a basking shark at the time, but it could have been an ocean sunfish.

Granted my Cape diving has all been bayside, so I've not been in the areas where makos have been caught.

 

[Scuba Chip]

I have seen blue sharks while boat diving out at the Isles of Shoals. This island group is directly on the state line between NH and Maine. The islands can easily be seen from the mainland. There is also the occassional seal out there as well. Have seen dogfish diving in New England several timesl. But the only place that I have encountered Sand Tigers in New England while diving, has been in the Giant Ocean Tank of the New England Aquarium.

 

[MASS-Diver]

Ya, a friend of mine took a 4' juvenile sand tiger off this spot last year (still had the spots) and others have told me they have seen them or hooked them there before as well.

I guess they are supposed to be common in shallow NE waters, they have those long pointed teeth and would not be confused with dogs- which are everywhere.

Sand tigers are also the sharks they have the Boston Aquarium, a s scubchip points out, although I heard the aqaurium had to pull them out? I guess they are supposed to be slow moving, night active, and not bother people unless you kick one or put your hand in it's mouth. Nonthless they go to 12' long, that's a big fish

I saw a huge sunfish on the way back from Stellwagon once. I thought it was a shark at first - because of the big fin- wish I had my gear with me, those things are pretty cool.

 

[yak]

I've fished in shark tournaments out of the Vineyard, and have seen plenty at 20-30 miles out - places like the fingers. I wasn't a diver then, so I can't say how deep the water was.

On one of those trips, we saw an ocean sunfish. I happened to be up on the bridge, and first thought it was a whale. It just missed the swim platform as it passed behind us.

Also saw a monster (20 foot plus) basking shark from a helicopter off Duxbury.

 

[PK]

I saw a dogfish (sand shark) once while diving Cathedral Rocks. That's it.

The New England Aquarium usually has two sharks in the giant ocean tank (GOT): sand tiger and Nurse shark. They had to treat the water with something that bothers them so they took them out temporarily until the treatment is complete. The Nurse shark has been in a tank behind the scenes on the 3rd floor and the sand tiger was moved to an aquarium in CT. The Nurse shark should be back in the GOT this week. I'm not sure if they decided on the plan for sand tiger yet. He's pretty big and it was a bit of a big deal to transport him, poor guy. Not to worry though, they treat him with great care. He's also doing real well down in CT with a very short adjustment period. They'll figure something out and soon you'll see cool sharks again in the GOT. I'll share with you all the scoop once I find out. I'll be volunteering there this Friday so I'll ask them about it.

By the way, the New England Aquarium has a bunch of sand sharks on the 3rd floor exhibit and 5 bamboo sharks on the 1st floor exhibit.

 

[MASS-Diver]

PK


That's good to hear the sharks are OK. My friend was there a week or two ago on a trip w/ a local reef [aquarium] club and everyone was shocked to see no sharks.

I'm not a big fan of keeping sand tigers in mixed systems like the GOT, it's my understanding that while in general these sharks deal with captive life well, keeping them with other fish necessates overfeeding them and as a result they develope that "hunch-back" condition.

I heard the electric eel tank is looking good these days, but, that the seahorse tanks are not up to par (which as keeper of CB horses) upsets me.

Do you dive with the aquarium dive club at all?

 

[PK]

Hi Mass-Diver:

The sandtiger shark eats only when he wants to. In nature, they eat once/week. While we offer him food 2X per day, he rarely eats it. The idea is to keep him satisfied with food. I'm not sure if he's unhealthily overweight, but I can get that info on friday.

What have you noticed about the seahorse tank that doesn't look right? I can tactfully inquire about it on Friday. I'm actually not sure where that tank is, can you tell me? It'll help me know who to ask.

I spend so much time working in the GOT area that I miss stuff in other exhibits. I'm slowly getting more free time to explore.

If anybody has other questions or concerns, I'm happy to get the scoop for you all!

 

[MASS-Diver]

I don't want to cheap shots at the NEA, because overall I think it's a pretty nice place, but, I just remember last time I was there seeing that the sand tiger had a big time hunchback, which only occurs in captivity. At first I assumed in was a vitamin D def. but, from what I've heard it's from overfeeding. If it's not from overfeeding, I'd like to hear why people think captive sand Tigers develope this condition which is not seen in the wild. Also, it's my understanding that in the wild these guys feed only at night.

As far as the seahorses, I have not seen the tanks in a while, although last time I saw it it was infested with aptasia and some of the horses where clearly being stung, furthermore the tank seemd (IMO) to swallow and was not natural enough for my liking. Again, I know it's easy for visistors to critize, but, that was just my imppression at the time. I think it's on the second level near the wading pool?


On a more postive note: is it true that the bottom of the GOT is littered with shark teeth?

And are you guys running a protein skimer on the GOT, I heard there was big problem with that a while ago?

 

[PK]

Hi,

I'll find out about the cause of the hunchback of the sandtiger tomorrow. I'm not a biologist so I've never noticed it. They get vitamins (I know because I make them!) and we hide it in their food. The turtles, rays, and some other GOT creatures get vitamins too. They definately eat and are cared for like kings!

The one GOT creature that I know for sure is obese is Mrytle, the famous green sea turtle. She's a real porker but she's still healthy. Her food is weighed and monitored so she is still within the limits the aquarists set out. The other turtles in GOT (loggerheads and kemps riddleys) are actually quite touted within the greater aquarium community (among other aquariums) as being very healthy, and large without obesity as compared to other turtles in captivity in other facilities.

As far as shark teeth go, I know that when we clean the tank that some teeth are sometimes picked up. Sharks naturally shed their teeth and regrow them so it's common even in the wild to see shark teeth on the ocean floor. I'll get more insight on this tomorrow.

The NEAq sets out to create the most realistic environment so you won't see disney-like tunnels, bridges, roads. In some cases, like with the groupers, the tank seems too small but then I found out with them specifically that this mimics the marshes and areas they prefer. I don't know about all of them though so I'll definately ask about the sea horses. I thinks it's good to keep those aquarists on their toes! So your questions don't look like cheap shots to me.