Bamboo Cat Shark - Chiloscyllium punctatum - Brownbanded Cat Shark - Blackbanded Cat Shark - Bamboo Shark

This is one shark that is successfully kept, but needs a large aquarium for room to swim in and excellent filtration! These are among the smallest of sharks at about 40 inches. Adults of the Bamboo Shark, Brown-spotted Cat Shark, or Brown-banded Catshark can be kept reasonably well in a 150 gallon or larger aquarium.

The Bamboo Shark is also called the Brown-spotted Cat Shark or Brown-banded Catshark. Juveniles like the one pictured here have the bands and occasionlly spots. The adult Bamboo Shark are often plain gray or brownish in color.

General Size: This fish is generally available from 7 to 11 inches.

Minimum Tank Size: The Bamboo Cat Shark prefers a tank of at least 180 gallons with plenty of places to hide & swim.

Tank Conditions: The Bamboo Cat Shark should ideally be kept in temperatures between 72 and 78 degrees Fahrenheit. A pH value of 8.1 or 8.4, and a specific gravity of 1.020 to 1.025 should be maintained. When kept with invertebrates, the specific gravity range should be 1.020 to 1.025, for the invertebrate species. In a fish only aquarium, the specific gravity should fall between 1.020 and 1.023.

Characteristics and Compatibility: A docile fish that does not swim around much, this relatively small but strong shark can easy dislodge unstable rock formations and corals that are not attached securely. To avoid possible damage to the structure of the aquarium and injury to the shark and its tankmates from toppling objects, all items in the tank should be stable. | Best kept with Eels, Groupers, Snappers, Hawks, Hogs, Foxface/Rabbits, Lions/Scorpions, Grunts/Sweetlips, Sharks and Rays, larger species Angels, Parrots, Tangs/Surgeonfishes. Avoid Triggers and Puffers, as these fish will nip at the fins of most types of sharks.

Habitat: Being a nocturnal, bottom-dwelling species that inhabits deeper waters where little light is present, the Brownbanded Bamboo Shark is light sensitive. Typically it stays hidden in an aquarium with bright lights on, and therefore should be provided with an adequately sized cave or light-sheltered space where it can hide. | Course textures can scratch this shark's belly, which can lead to infection, so it requires a soft sand substrate.

Diet and Feeding: A carnivore that does not compete well for food with aggressive feeders, foods are best offered by target feeding using a stick or tongs. Should be fed meaty fares that include pieces of fresh shrimp, scallop, squid, and marine fish flesh. Soaking foods in a liquid vitamin can provide additional nutrients that are important to a shark's health. Feed until satisfied 2-3 times a week.

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