Home · Hemiscylliidae · White-spotted bamboo shark
White-spotted bamboo shark (Chiloscyllium plagiosum) — Hemiscylliidae

White-spotted bamboo shark

Chiloscyllium plagiosum
NT · Near Threatened

The White-spotted bamboo shark (Chiloscyllium plagiosum) is a saltwater fish of the family Hemiscylliidae that grows up to 83 cm.

Length
83 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–50.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The whitespotted bamboo shark is a small bottom shark of the bamboo shark family (Hemiscylliidae) from the western Pacific. The species grows to about 83 cm and has a slender, brown-banded body with numerous white spots and barbels at the nostrils. It is a common but little-known inshore bottom shark of rocky and coral reefs, resting by day in crevices and foraging at night. As a bottom hunter it feeds on small fishes, crustaceans and molluscs. Reproduction is oviparous. It is a calm, small shark often kept in aquaria, but as a shark with teeth it should be handled with care. Owing to fishing it is listed as Near Threatened (NT).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the White-spotted bamboo shark?

The White-spotted bamboo shark has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the White-spotted bamboo shark live?

The White-spotted bamboo shark lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the White-spotted bamboo shark get?

The White-spotted bamboo shark grows to a maximum of about 83 cm.

Is the White-spotted bamboo shark dangerous to humans?

No, the White-spotted bamboo shark is harmless to humans.

Is the White-spotted bamboo shark edible?

Yes, the White-spotted bamboo shark is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Witgestippelde bamboehaai sourced
English name
White-spotted bamboo shark verified
Scientific name
Chiloscyllium plagiosum
Family
Hemiscylliidae
Other names
Whitespotted bambooshark; White-spotted bambooshark; White-spotted catshark verified

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
83.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Spots inferred
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
Yes sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
50.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
levensduur_max_jaar
25.0 verified

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Vissen met natuurlijk aas (vis, garnaal, worm) of kunstaas dicht bij rif- en rotsstructuren. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

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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