Horn Shark

Heterodontus francisci

(1)

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Suggested Tank

180+ gallons

Max Size

48 inches

Difficulty

Hard

Temperament

Semi-Aggressive

Description

The Horn Shark is a species of bullhead shark, native to the coastal waters of the western North America. It has a short, broad head with a rounded snout and large, ridged eyes. Its body is stout and muscular, with two dorsal fins set far back. The Horn Shark is named for the short venomous spine in front of each dorsal fin, which it uses for defense.

Reef Safe

No. Horn Sharks can damage coral and other invertebrates in a reef tank.

Environment

Horn Sharks prefer cooler water temperatures between 50 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. They need a lot of space and plenty of hiding spots in the tank.

Behavior

Horn Sharks are nocturnal and spend most of the day hiding in crevices. They are solitary creatures and can be territorial. They are not aggressive unless provoked.

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Owner Reviews

Overall Rating:
Would Buy Again: 👍 Yes
What You Feed: Thawed diced jumbo shrimp, raw salmon/mackerel cut into bite sized pieces etc

Can be curious and even be trained to be hand fed, but definitely for the more experienced Aquarist. They prefer a little bit cooler temps but are definitely interesting and fun to watch/interact with! Only downside is you can’t keep them with corals or invertebrates or many small fish species as they will munch on the invertebrates and fish and tend to disturb areas where corals might be.

Reef Safe: No
Visibility: Moderate Visibility
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Difficulty: Expert
Min Tank Size: 300 Gallons

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Horn Shark

Heterodontus francisci

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