Former Pet Sharks Arrive at SEA LIFE Melbourne

Posted By : The Animal Facts Editorial Team

Date: June 11, 2021 3:11 am

Epaulette Sharks SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium

One of the epaulette sharks settles in to its new home in the Coral Atoll habitat at SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium in Australia

Photo Credit: SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium

A pair of epaulette sharks have been given a new home at SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium after the former pets began to outgrow their tank. Known as Peanut and Pebbles the small sharks now live in the Coral Atoll habitat at the aquarium.

The epaulette shark is a small species found along the coastline of Northern Australia. They will use their fins to waddle across a reef looking for food.

One of the epaulette sharks settles in to its new home in the Coral Atoll habitat at SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium in Australia

Photo Credit: SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium

Epaulette sharks are classed as a small shark species but this still means they can achieve lengths of up to a meter (3.2 foot) as adults.

Their small size makes them popular in the home aquarium market with young starting out at a mere 10-12cm (4-4.7in) long. As such anyone looking to add these animals to their family requires a suitably sized tank with adequate filtration.

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“It’s incredibly important for people to have an adequate size exhibit for the species they keep at home. Epaulette sharks are only around 10-12cm when they are born but can grow to around a metre long as adults. A shark of this size requires a substantial swimming area, which allows them to forage, rest and exercise when required,” said Sam Fawke, Displays Manager at SEA LIFE Melbourne.

“We had the capacity to welcome Peanut and Pebbles to SEA LIFE Melbourne, but this isn’t always the case. We do not want to encourage people to bring their sea creatures to the Aquarium – we want to remind them that they need to do their research before choosing to keep sharks at home.”

One of the epaulette sharks settles in to its new home in the Coral Atoll habitat at SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium in Australia

Photo Credit: SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium

Over the last couple of moths Peanut and Pebbles have been in quarantine behind the scenes. Recently they have moved out in to the Coral Atoll exhibit where they live alongside tropical fish and moray eels.

You can spot the pair due to the large, black spot on the side of the body which is a false eye.

SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium is currently closed due to a state lockdown but when it reopens guests will be able to meet the epaulette sharks while viewing a range of other sea creatures including stingrays, turtles and penguins.