How Much Does A Shark Cost?

Sharks are one of the most feared creatures of the seas and oceans. With a terrifying reputation for being dangerous predators, sharks have over time been the subject of many stories, myths, and legends. However, sharks are, in fact, fascinating animals with lots of amazing traits and interesting behaviors.

Can you have a shark as a pet?

It is legal to own pet sharks, but these can cost a few hundred to thousands of dollars. Some shark species, such as great whites, are protected and cannot be kept in homes as pets. Unlike other sharks, the great white shark is an impossible species to keep in captivity. Sharks are considered the most sensational attraction of aquariums. There have been attempts, particularly in the United States and Japan, to keep them in ponds.

How much does it cost to buy a shark?

The price of sharks can go from $5 to $50,000 or even up to $1 million or more, depending mostly on its species. The shark is the most expensive animal in the world.

How much does a shark cost according to its type?

There are hundreds of different species of sharks of different sizes and lengths. The smallest shark is 22 cm long and the largest is 12 meters. Sharks appeared 400 million years ago. Of the more than 350 known species, 80% of sharks do not grow larger than 1.6 meters. Sharks considered the most dangerous are the great white shark and the tiger shark. Here are some of the most known sharks and their price:

The Harlequin Shark costs around $5-$10
The Roseline Shark costs around $8-$11
The Red Tail Shark costs around $8-$10
The Bala Shark costs around $6-$12
The Great White costs from $10,000-$30,000 up to $1.08 Million
The Hammerhead shark costs from $15,000-$1 million
The Bull Shark costs from $2,000 to $8,000
The White-spotted Bamboo Shark costs from $100 to $150
The Whale Shark costs from $20,000 to $50,000

Factors that affect the cost of pet sharks

The price you pay when buying a shark depends on many factors such as its type, size, the location from where you buy it, and many more.

Type – As you may have seen above, the cost of a shark differs a lot depending on its type. You can expect to pay the same price for a Bull Shark as for a Harlequin Shark.
Size – The same goes in this case; the bigger the shark is, the more expensive it will be. Remember that besides its initial cost, you will spend another amount for a proper aquarium for the fish to swim comfortably, which depends on the sharks’ size.
Age – Older sharks will cost more than younger sharks. This happens due to their need for more specialized care, which not too many can afford.
Location – When buying a pet, including a shark, from a reputable breeder, it will always cost you more than buying it from a pet store. Even if you pay more, at least you can assure yourself it was raised in proper conditions.

Additional costs

Shipping

Once you buy your shark, there are cases when it will be shipped in a box that will allow the shark to swim. Most sharks are shipped as pups because they can be shipped in smaller tanks. The minimum delivery size of the tank will be at least once and a half larger up to three to four times larger than the shark.

You might also like our articles about the cost of a Marlin fish, puffer fish, or pet jellyfish.

Transport can be quite expensive once the size of the box and the weight of the shark and water are taken into account. Sometimes shipping costs are higher than the shark itself. Bamboo sharks and horn sharks are often shipped in small 5-gallon containers and are by far the best deal.

Caring

When buying a shark, you have an initial purchase price that does not include anything else besides the fish itself. So, depending on the type and size of the shark you will have some additional costs related to its housing, food, and professional care and maintenance.

A guide to buying and owning a shark

There are not many places where you can buy a real shark. The Fresh Marine is a reputable site that offers multiple types of sharks for sale. In addition, sharks for sale have records from both local and international dealers.

If you are a novice, stick to the smaller varieties mentioned above. There will be more to choose from, but they are best left to those who already have shark experience. Purchasing from an exotic pet store that carries sharks to you will be much better than going for online shopping.

The store owner will probably know quite a bit about the shark and may even be able to put you in touch with the breeder. Having such connections is invaluable when you start with a new shark.

Keep in mind that most top breeders are located along the coast of Florida and Georgia. The Florida Tropical Fish Farm Association keeps an up-to-date list of all authorized shark breeders in the area.

Here are a few steps you should take before buying a shark:

Research – You should do your own research regarding the types and needs of such a pet, and choose the one you afford to take care of.
Find a reputable seller – This will assure you a healthy shark that is well cared for. You can also visit the seller to see the conditions and the quality of the shark.

If your seller has sharks for sale and you can visit them, look for the following in the shark tank:

cleanliness without signs of algae or debris;
no stains or spots on the shark’s body or fins, as these may be signs of fungal infection;
the swimmers must be completely extended because they are the number one sign that a shark is healthy; sick sharks pull their swimmers inside.

Set a budget – Before buying a shark make a list of all the necessities it will need from the cost of the tank, the filtration system, food, and medical service.

Conclusion

It is really important to acknowledge the costs that come with buying a shark. They will differ greatly depending on its type, size, and age, so you must be able to offer it proper care and maintenance.