BANDIT, the Banded Cat Shark

[Sherri]

Awesome kaiser...really does show how small he is. Gotta be a really neat experience...keep updates coming!

[kaiser]

I found this nice write up by Dr. A Godknecht on this shark.

Chiloscyllium punctatum
Brownbanded bambooshark
Appearance:
Body moderately slender with greatly elongated thick precaudal tail. Mouth in front of eyes, spiracles below and behind eyes. Snout rounded anteriorly. Both dorsal fins are equal-sized. Origin of first dorsal fin above anterior halves of pelvic fin bases. Origin of anal fin behind the free rear end of second dorsal fin.
Coloration:
Adults are light brown with no distinctive color pattern. Young with dark transverse bands and usually scattered small blackish spots.
Distribution:
Indo-Western Pacific: India, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, China, Japan, Philippines, and Australia.
Biology:
A common species. Lives inshore around coral reefs, often found in tidepools. Can survive out of water for as long as half a day (such as when tidepools run out of water).
Feeding:
Feeds most likely on invertebrates.
Size:
Maximum length about 105cm, average size between 70 and 90cm.
Reproduction:
Most likely oviparous (egg laying).
Similar species:
Unmistakable color pattern in young. Adults share the general appearance with other bamboosharks and taxonomic features should be used to clearly distinguish among them. However most other species have distinct color pattern in their adult stages, making this species easier to identify.
Endangerment:
Unknown. However this species is regularly taken by inshore fisheries in India and Thailand, therefore a decline probably occurring and a more threatened status is most likely.
Danger to humans:
Harmless.

[Nano_Steve]

yknow kai,

that first pic doesnt really give an accurate size comparison, i mean my whole hand is probably as long as one of ur fingers big guy!

thats the coolest thing i think ive ever seen a pic of though, who wouldve thought to have a little baby shark in a reef tank, oh if only he could stay there without eating everything once he got older, thatd be awesome.

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

take kare, steve

[z28pwr]

yknow kai,

that first pic doesnt really give an accurate size comparison, i mean my whole hand is probably as long as one of ur fingers big guy!

thats the coolest thing i think ive ever seen a pic of though, who wouldve thought to have a little baby shark in a reef tank, oh if only he could stay there without eating everything once he got older, thatd be awesome.

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

take kare, steve

I second that.

Kaiser makes me look small and I'm 6FT tall.

[kaiser]

Well, Bandit is for Sale. I am getting out of this hobby so I will need to find her a good home. Yes Bandit is a girl.

[kaiser]

The new owner of Bandit is z28pwr. Hopefully he will keep us updated on her.

[z28pwr]

Here's an Updated Picture of Bandit that I took today right after dinner.

[Sherri]

Full little belly! Thanks for the update Jose! Keep them coming....