Black Banded Cat Shark (Chiloscyllium punctatum)

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Black Banded Cat Shark

Chiloscyllium punctatum-6292.jpg
Juvenile Shark

Chiloscyllium punctatum

1893 Litres (500 US G.)

101.6-121.9cm (40-48 ")

pH

8.1 - 8.4

22.2-25.6°C (72 -78 °F)

8-14 °d

1:1 M:F

Carnivore
Live Foods
Other (See article)

5-12 years

Family

Hemiscylliidae





Additional names

Cat Shark, Banded Cat Shark, Brownbanded Bambooshark, Black Banded Bamboo Shark, Grey Carpetshark

Additional scientific names

Hemiscyllium punctatum, Chiloscyllium margaritiferum


Sexing[edit]

Males have claspers near the pelvic fins. Females have a clocoa. They can be sexed immidiately after hatching, it is difficult (but not impossible) to sex them while they are in the egg.


Tank compatibility[edit]

Best in a very large species tank and will eat any inverts. It may act aggressively towards other fish if provoked. It will eat any fish that can fit in its mouth.


Diet[edit]

A carnivorous fish that will eat a variety of chopped crustaceans, fish pieces, shrimp, shellfish and squid.


Feeding regime[edit]

Feed once a day, or every other day.


Environment specifics[edit]

They need a spacious tank with a large footprint in which to swim with hiding places provided. It requires a sandy substrate in which it may bury itself, however it should not be too coarse as its sensitive belly can scratch on the substrate and become infected. A salinity of 1.020 - 1.025 is required and they are very sensitive to water quality issues and copper-based medicines also.


Behaviour[edit]

An active and curious bottom-dwelling fish that can be startled easily and may spend a large amount of time hidden.


Identification[edit]

A very elongated shark species with distinctive dark brown banding across the body. It loses this banding to become a pale brown-silver as it matures.

Pictures[edit]

External links[edit]