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, 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).
Diet
Feeds most likely on invertebrates.
Size
Maximum length about 105 cm, average size between 70 and 90 cm.
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.
Vulnerability
Category:Near Threatened (NT) Criteria: - Last evaluated:2016 Trend:
