When it comes to famous and fierce fishes, nothing captures the imagination like the great white shark and yes we know about the great whites are more than just little fish. But if you were to jump up right now and head to your local zoo or aquarium, you won't find any great white sharks. So, why is it that no aquarium in the world houses these incredible predators?
1. They are expensive- Let's start with just how much having a great white shark in your tank would cost. Great white shark can only tolerate saltwater, mimicking the ocean water composition is nearly impossible and it could be incredibly expensive for aquariums. Additionally, they will kill and eat all other creatures in their tanks. Aquariums must constantly replenish their tanks with food. However, as predators, great white sharks are natural hunters, and they need an exciting hunt to survive. They refuse to be fed by humans, causing them to either starve to death or be released into the wild.
2. Respiratory problems- Have you ever heard of a shark that has to move constantly to survive? Most species can pump water out simply by opening or closing their mouths, but not the great white shark. To breathe, they need a constant flow of water through their gills. In the aquarium, sharks can't move freely. That's why when they run out of space in the tank, they choke to death from a lack of oxygen.