Beloved pet shark finds new home at aquarium

Jigsaw the shark, the beloved family pet of a Pleasanton, Calif. family for nearly three years, has a new home at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. On Thursday, the whitetip reef shark (Triaenodon obesus) was removed by aquarium staff from the 1,500-gallon aquarium that has been her home since August 2000 and brought by truck to Monterey, where she’s acclimating in a behind-the-scenes holding area.

If all goes well, she’ll become part of Sharks: Myth and Mystery, a special exhibition featuring sharks and rays of the world that will open in April 2004.

Jigsaw, now nearly 3 ½ feet long, had outgrown the aquarium she had shared with a variety of tropical fishes since John Valentine first brought her home. She endeared herself to the family of six, but her increasing size and appetite dictated a move to larger quarters.

“We’re sad to see her go,” Valentine said, “but we visit Monterey fairly regularly so the kids will be able to visit Jigsaw in her new home.” It’s unusual for the aquarium to accept a shark from a home aquarist, said Senior Aquarist Manny Ezcurra.

“This is a rare, rare exception,” he said. “We’re offered sharks all the time and we have to say no. It worked out for Jigsaw only because of the new exhibit we’re planning.” He had a cautionary word for home aquarists: Steer clear of sharks.

“Sharks don’t belong in home aquariums,” Ezcurra added. “They need more space than other fishes and they outgrow the tank too quickly. When they get too large, they should not be returned to the wild and you usually won’t find a public aquarium willing to take them off your hands. The only option is to euthanize them humanely.”

It’s still not certain that Jigsaw will be placed on exhibit in Monterey, Ezcurra said. She has a goiter from lack of sufficient iodine in her diet and will require treatment with iodine supplements. Otherwise, he added, she appears to be in good health. For more information, see pet training aids.

About The Author:

Rick Towers is a successful author and regular contributor to http://www.1st-in-pets.com. Pamper your pet and get up to date information on pet health, food, accessories, behavior, gifts and toys.