Planet Zoo 2 sharks include four species at launch: Blacktip Reef Shark, Great Hammerhead, Indo-Pacific Leopard Shark and Sand Tiger Shark. Three are in the base game, while the Great Hammerhead requires Deluxe Edition or the Deluxe Upgrade Pack.
There’s no Great White Shark in the confirmed launch roster, and the game doesn’t treat every aquatic animal as a shark. If you’re planning a major aquarium, here’s exactly which species you can keep, which one needs the upgrade and what to check before you start building.
All four Planet Zoo 2 sharks
| Shark species | Edition | Enclosure |
|---|---|---|
| Blacktip Reef Shark | Standard | Marine aquarium |
| Great Hammerhead | Deluxe | Marine aquarium |
| Indo-Pacific Leopard Shark | Standard | Marine aquarium |
| Sand Tiger Shark | Standard | Marine aquarium |
All four are aquarium habitat species rather than standard terrestrial animals or small exhibit species. The Planet Zoo 2 sharks roster has one Deluxe-exclusive animal; you don’t need Deluxe to build a shark aquarium with the other three.
Which Planet Zoo 2 sharks require Deluxe Edition?
Only the Great Hammerhead needs the Deluxe Edition or Deluxe Upgrade Pack. The Blacktip Reef Shark, Indo-Pacific Leopard Shark and Sand Tiger Shark are part of the standard game. You can still see the Hammerhead mentioned in lists or videos without owning the edition that unlocks it.
The Great Hammerhead is also one of six overall Deluxe animals. The remaining five are Axolotl, Blue and Gold Fusilier, Golden Eagle, Golden Lion Tamarin and Longfin Batfish. Deluxe access is separate from any Franchise Accreditation unlock that can also affect animal availability.
How to build an aquarium for Planet Zoo 2 sharks
Choose the shark species you want first and open its Zoopedia entry. Check the water type, space, swimming depth and social needs before laying out the enclosure. The four species are all marine sharks, but that doesn’t mean their required space or social groups are interchangeable.
Build the surrounding habitat barriers and the water volume, then connect the appropriate pump and filtration equipment. Staff will need suitable access to maintain the enclosure. A beautiful underwater window won’t keep the animals well if water quality or habitat size falls short.
For the full build sequence, see Planet Zoo 2 aquariums. That guide covers filtration, water types, pumps, airlocks and visitor viewing. Planet Zoo 2 sharks need those functioning systems before being added to the habitat.
Can Planet Zoo 2 sharks live together?
Don’t assume that every shark can share one tank. Two animals using saltwater does not prove they have compatible social requirements. Check the Zoopedia’s social and cohabitation information for each selected species and make sure the enclosure satisfies all its occupants.
Aquarium fish, turtles and rays also have their own requirements. It may be tempting to put the entire aquatic roster into one huge tank, but different animals can require different conditions or compatible groups. Follow the species entries rather than guessing from the setting.
Why can’t you buy sharks in Franchise Mode?
Franchise Mode uses Accreditation tiers to make more species available as your zoos and Wildlife Reserves progress. If a shark is locked behind a tier, raise the relevant Reputation and Biodiversity requirements first. This is not the same as an empty or broken Animal Market, which can be a separate online trading issue.
If a shark you’re looking for doesn’t appear at all, confirm that you own the edition containing it. Great Hammerhead requires Deluxe access. For the three standard sharks, check the species’ Franchise availability and whether the Animal Market is functioning.
Are Great White Sharks or dolphins in Planet Zoo 2?
No Great White Sharks, dolphins, whales or porpoises appear in the 136-species launch Zoopedia. The four sharks listed above are the complete launch selection, including the one Deluxe-exclusive Hammerhead.
The aquatic collection is wider than Planet Zoo 2 sharks, with rays, fish, the Hawksbill Turtle and West Indian Manatee among the other species. If you’d rather build a tank without sharks, browse the separate 37-animal aquatic roster.
What to check when your shark has low welfare
Begin with water quality, water type and usable swimming space, then look at the animal’s social needs and feeding. If water quality remains poor, inspect the pump and filtration system before changing decorations. If the species needs a different group size, adding more water alone won’t solve that warning.
The best plan is to get the enclosure working with one selected species before expanding. You can then use the Zoopedia to decide whether another shark or aquatic species would genuinely fit the same environment, rather than treating all Planet Zoo 2 sharks as identical.
Related Guides
- All 136 Animals
- All 37 Aquatic Animals
- All 12 Flying Birds
- All 46 Exhibit Animals
- Build Aquariums
- Build Aviaries
- Improve Animal Welfare
- Franchise Accreditation Requirements
Official source: Frontier Developments, Planet Zoo 2.
