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Arabian carpetshark (Chiloscyllium arabicum) — Hemiscylliidae

Arabian carpetshark

Chiloscyllium arabicum

The Arabian carpetshark (Chiloscyllium arabicum) is a saltwater fish of the family Hemiscylliidae that grows up to 62 cm.

Length
62 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
2.0–100.0 m
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The Arabian carpetshark is a small bamboo shark (Hemiscylliidae) from shallow coastal waters of the Persian Gulf and Arabian Sea. The species grows to about 62 cm and has a slender, plain brown body with barbels and a long, low tail. As a nocturnal, slow bottom-dweller it shelters by day among rocks, coral and mangrove roots and searches for worms, molluscs and crustaceans at night. It lays eggs in horny capsules. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Arabian carpetshark?

The Arabian carpetshark has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Arabian carpetshark live?

The Arabian carpetshark lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Arabian carpetshark get?

The Arabian carpetshark grows to a maximum of about 62 cm.

Is the Arabian carpetshark dangerous to humans?

No, the Arabian carpetshark is harmless to humans.

Is the Arabian carpetshark edible?

Yes, the Arabian carpetshark is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Arabische bamboehaai sourced
English name
Arabian carpetshark sourced
Scientific name
Chiloscyllium arabicum
Family
Hemiscylliidae
Other names
Arabian carpet shark; Arabian carpetshark; Confusing bamboo shark verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
62.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Plain sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Barbels
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
2.0 verified
Max depth (m)
100.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Chiloscyllium

More from the family Hemiscylliidae

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