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

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

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

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


Feeding regime

Feed once a day, or every other day.


Environment specifics

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

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


Identification

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

External links