Shark Report: The Bamboo Shark | The Beachside Resident

By: Bloody Bill

Article Category: Shark Report

Chiloscyllium plagiosum, the Whitespotted Bamboo Shark

Sharks are pretty cool, there’s no doubt about it. Whether you love ‘em or hate ‘em, you’re pretty much going to be interested in finding out more about them.

I’ve written about many of the larger and more common ones you may encounter in our waters and beyond. I’ve written about the ones that scare the crap out of us in the surf, the ones we see during “Shark Week” that can bite your face off, and the ones that are a major part of commercial and recreational fisheries around the world.

As I began to think about this month’s species, it dawned on me: Why not write about the sharks we see at our local restaurants, aquariums, and pet shops? They are sharks after all, and even though most are not found in our area, they are still ones that many of us see pretty regularly. That’s why I’ve decided to write about possibly one of the most popular aquarium species, Chiloscyllium plagiosum, the whitespotted bamboo shark.

The whitespotted bamboo shark is a small species, with a maximum reported size of 37 inches, although they are more likely to be found in the 26- to 31-inch range. They have an amazing coloration — light brown with darker bands and light spots along its entire body. Indicative characteristics include a short, rounded snout, spiracles behind the eyes, and sensory barbels near the nostrils. The pectoral fins are of equal size and are also the same size as the large and muscular pelvic fins, which are often used to “walk” along the bottom. There is also no lower lobe on the tail of this species.

The bamboo shark commonly inhabits inshore tropical and subtropical reefs from India north to China, and also in the waters around Madagascar and Indonesia. Although they appear to be year-round residents in their home range, applicable data is extremely deficient. The teeth of this species are similar to others in its family, and appear to be specialized for grasping soft-bodied reef creatures — and crushing hard-bodied ones as well. More than likely, this means that they are nocturnal feeders specializing in reef fish and small crustaceans.

The whitespotted bamboo is considered as of minor importance in commercial fisheries in India, China, and Thailand, though it is often used in traditional Chinese remedies in these areas. They are often found in aquariums throughout the world due to their ability to adapt well to captivity.

The whitespotted bamboo shark is currently listed as “Near Threatened” by the IUCN due to its collection in the pet trade, but the populations in its home range have been lacking in assessment and accuracy.

Like all sharks, this species is an integral part of our ecosystem and deserves our continued respect, conservation, and admiration.

For more information visit: www.flmnh.ufl.edu.

Mahalo,

Bloody Bill