Brownbanded bambooshark (Chiloscyllium punctatum)

General data

Main name: Brownbanded bambooshark
Climates: Tropical
Habitat: Saltwater
Native: Asia, Australia & Oceania
Distribution: Pacific Ocean, Indian ocean

Classification

Genus: Chiloscyllium - Chiloscyllium
Family: Hemiscylliidae - Bamboo sharks
Order: Orectolobiformes - Carpet shark
Class: Elasmobranchii - Sharks and Rays
Superclass: Chondrichthyes - Cartilaginous fishes

Description

The brownbanded bamboo shark (Chiloscyllium punctatum), is a bamboo shark in the family Hemiscylliidae that can be found in the Indo-West Pacific from Japan to northern Australia, between latitudes 34° N and 26° S. These sharks can be distinguished by their concave posterior margined dorsal fin. No color patterns are present for the adults, however, the juveniles have dark transverse bands with some dark spots. It can grow up to 104 cm (41 in). It is a nocturnal animal and can survive out of the water for up to 12 hrs. They have barbels that resemble feline whiskers, hence the common name cat shark. Despite this moniker, they are not true members of the catshark family, and are more closely related to the nurse sharks, wobbegongs, epaulette sharks and whale sharks, belonging to the family Orectolobiformes.

Brownbanded bambooshark (Chiloscyllium punctatum)

General data

Classification

Description

Taxonomy of Fishes