The Whitespotted Bamboo Shark (Chiloscyllium plagiosum) is a marine (saltwater) fish in the Hemiscyllidae family of carpet sharks. It is an elasmobranch cartilaginous fish — a fish that does not have a bony skeleton.
The Whitespotted Bamboo Shark has a pale body with dark bands and purple and pink spots. It has a distinct dorsal (back) fin. It rests on the bottom of the sea on its bent pectoral fins. It has small teeth.
It grows to about 93 centimetres (37 inches) in length.
It is found in the Pacific Oean in coral reefs. It is most common around the coast of Indonesia, and from Japan to India.
It is nocturnal, feeding at night. It is carnivorous, feeding on fish and invertebrates.
The Whitespotted Bamboo Shark is oviparous. The female lays eggs that hatch after about 14-15 weeks.
Location of photographs: New York Aquarium, America
Photographer: Martina Nicolls
Martina Nicolls: SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM