Sealife guideThe brownbanded bamboo sharkChiloscyllium punctatum

Last updated on 02/10/2025 at 09:06 PM
Taxonomy
  • Common name: Brownbanded bamboo shark, brown spotted catshark
  • French name: Requin chabot bambou
  • Spanish name: Bamboa estriada
  • Scientific name: Chiloscyllium punctatum (Müller & Henle, 1838)
  • Family name: Hemiscylliidae
  • Order name: Orectolobiformes
  • Class name: Elasmobranchii
Description
The brownbanded bamboo shark has a morphology adapted to its benthic lifestyle. It has an elongated, cylindrical body with a relatively wide head and a blunt snout equipped with barbels. Its pectoral fins are wide and well-developed, allowing it to move slowly but efficiently along the seafloor in search of food.
The brownbanded bamboo shark is easily recognizable due to the alternating broad brown-black and off-white bands
The brownbanded bamboo shark is easily recognizable due to the alternating broad brown-black and off-white bands © | Dreamstime.com
This shark is easily recognizable by the alternating broad brown-black and off-white bands, resembling a convict, which provides effective camouflage among rocks and corals.
The brownbanded bamboo shark is a medium-sized shark, typically ranging from 24 to 30 inches in length as an adult, with a maximum size of 40.9 inches. Females are smaller than males in size.
Range
The brownbanded bamboo shark frequents the warm waters of the Indo-Pacific region and is commonly observed in the waters of South Asia, from Malaysia to Northern Australia, and sometimes in the waters of the Philippines and Thailand.
Habitat
The brownbanded bamboo shark is a benthic species that spends most of its life near the seafloor. It is mainly found in shallow waters of coral reefs, coastal lagoons, and sandy or rocky areas at depths not exceeding 164 feet.
It is known for its nocturnal behavior, hunting primarily at night.
Due to its slow movement, it uses its camouflage abilities to blend with the seafloor, reducing the risk of being spotted by predators and needing to burrow.
Diet
The brownbanded bamboo shark primarily feeds on small fish, crustaceans and benthic invertebrates such as crabs, shrimp and marine worms. Camouflaged in its environment, resting on the seafloor, the brownbanded bamboo shark is a discreet predator that captures its prey by surprise. Additionally, thanks to its filtering and digging abilities in the marine substrate, it can locate its hidden prey.
Reproduction
The brownbanded bamboo shark is an oviparous shark species, with females laying their eggs, which they most often deposit in crevices or cavities found on the seafloor. Each egg is enclosed in a capsule, called a « mermaid's purse », offering protection against external conditions.
The brownbanded bamboo shark (Chiloscyllium punctatum)
The brownbanded bamboo shark (Chiloscyllium punctatum) © Rickard Zerpe sous licence Creative Commons
After several months of development, the young sharks emerge from their capsule and although they are already capable of swimming and feeding, they remain vulnerable to predators during the first few weeks of their life.
Within the same family
Raja epaulette shark (Hemiscyllium freycineti)
Raja epaulette shark
(Hemiscyllium freycineti)
Explore also
Whitetip reef shark (Triaenodon obesus)
Whitetip reef shark
(Triaenodon obesus)
Galapagos shark (Carcharhinus galapagensis)
Galapagos shark
(Carcharhinus galapagensis)
Greenland shark (Somniosus microcephalus)
Greenland shark
(Somniosus microcephalus)
Frilled shark (Chlamydoselachus anguineus)
Frilled shark
(Chlamydoselachus anguineus)
Nurse shark (Ginglymostoma cirratum)
Nurse shark
(Ginglymostoma cirratum)
Pelagic thresher shark (Alopias pelagicus)
Pelagic thresher shark
(Alopias pelagicus)
Ornate wobbegong (Orectolobus ornatus)
Ornate wobbegong
(Orectolobus ornatus)
Leafscale gulper shark (Centrophorus squamosus)
Leafscale gulper shark
(Centrophorus squamosus)
The marine species from Indo-Pacific
Bicolor angelfish (Centropyge bicolor)
Bicolor angelfish
(Centropyge bicolor)
Bigeye trevally (Caranx sexfasciatus)
Bigeye trevally
(Caranx sexfasciatus)
Blue tunicate (Rhopalaea fusca)
Blue tunicate
(Rhopalaea fusca)
Brownbanded bamboo shark (Chiloscyllium punctatum)
Brownbanded bamboo shark
(Chiloscyllium punctatum)
Copperbanded butterfly (Chelmon rostratus)
Copperbanded butterfly
(Chelmon rostratus)
Lemonpeel angelfish (Centropyge flavissima)
Lemonpeel angelfish
(Centropyge flavissima)
Pearl-scaled angelfish (Centropyge vrolikii)
Pearl-scaled angelfish
(Centropyge vrolikii)
Persian carpet flatworm (Pseudobiceros bedfordi)
Persian carpet flatworm
(Pseudobiceros bedfordi)

Our latestUpdates

The green moray eel
Tuesday, July 29th 2025
The green moray eel
The green moray eel is one of the most recognizable species of moray eels, thanks to its distinctive greenish coloration and one of the most iconic inhabitants of the coral reefs in the western Atlantic ocean.
Rulantica water park
Monday, July 28th 2025
Rulantica water park
Rulantica is an indoor water park located in Rust, Germany, near Europa-Park. This water complex stands out with its Nordic theme inspired by Scandinavian legends, offering an immersive experience with a variety of attractions such as water slides, wild rivers and relaxing swimming areas. The water park also includes relaxation zones, restaurants and shops.
Fort Lauderdale, the Venice of America
Wednesday, July 9th 2025
Fort Lauderdale, the Venice of America
Located just 28 miles north of Miami, the city of Fort Lauderdale is a chic yet laid-back destination, nicknamed the Venice of America thanks to its 310 miles of navigable canals. This coastal city, long overshadowed by its southern neighbor, is now emerging as a must-visit spot in South Florida, combining white-sand beaches, refined lifestyle and lush natural surroundings.
Photo of the Day
Baleine de minke naine (Balaenoptera acutorostrata)
Baleine de minke naine
(Balaenoptera acutorostrata)