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Marbled Cat Shark

Family: ScyliorhinidaeAtelomycterus macleayiPhoto © Animal-World: Courtesy David Brough

   The Marbled Cat Shark is considered a "true catshark" with a long slender body and a narrow head. It is a bottom feeder that is found in Northern Australia.

   The adult size of 24 inches (60 cm) makes this shark the smallest we have encountered!

   The Marbled Cat Shark is considered a good aquarium choice. It is hardy and easy to take care of, though it will need a roomy marine aquarium to accommodate it when it reaches it's adult size.

For more Information on keeping this fish see:
Guide to a Happy, Healthy Marine Aquarium

Maintenance difficulty:    The Marbled Cat Shark is easy to keep if you have a large enough aquarium.

Maintenance:    Feed all kinds of large meaty foods like small pieces of fish, squid, shrimp, and live goldfish. Best to feed small amounts several times a day.

Habitat: Natural geographic location:    Marbled Cat Shark are found near Northern Australia.

Foods:   Natural foods include gastropod and bivalve molluscs with smaller amounts of crabs, shrimp, and small fish.

Social Behaviors:    This fish can be kept with other fish and is usually no problem even with smaller fish that could be eaten. They usually only try to eat fish that are either dying or distressed.

Sex: Sexual differences:     The medial edges of the male's pelvic fins are modified to form claspers. The claspers are tubelike organs designed to deliver sperm into the female's reproductive tract. As the males grow older the claspers become more pronounced. The females do not have these.

Light: Recommended light levels:    No special requirements.

Breeding/Reproduction:    Oviparous egglayer. The young are about 10 cm (4 inches) in length when they hatch.

Temperature:    No special requirements.

Length/Diameter of fish:    Marbled Cat Shark adults can grow to 24 inches (60 cm).

Minimum Tank Length/Size:    A minimum 100 gallon aquarium is recommended.

Water Movement: Weak, Moderate, Strong    Not particular.

Water Region: Top, Middle, Bottom    Spends time at the bottom of the aquarium.

Availability:    This fish is occasionally available.

Lastest Comments on Marbled Cat Shark View all 14 comments on Marbled Cat Shark Add Your Comment

wilberth - 2005-10-12 I me - 2011-04-26 That had to have been an experience to own white tail sharks as well the lemon sharks. Reply

chris - 2011-01-12 Can I put a marbled cat shark in a 125 gallon aquarium? 72x24x17 tall? Reply

Uros - 2010-05-26 Hi! I am from Europe and I am wondering where can I get one of this sharks? I saw that you can buy them only in USA... Reply

Ryan - 2008-04-11 As far as sharks go, this is one of the best suited for captivity. It stays really small, 42 inches in the wild but in the aquarium it is much smaller, around 20 inches though this is highly dependent on the amount of feedings you give them. They can be kept succesfully in a 55 gallon aquarium but a 75 would be much better. If you want to grow him out bigger though you will need at least a 125 gallon. One other thing is that the babies are nocturnal and if you have a heavily decorated aquarium you run a rather high risk of your shark getting caught and drowning. The best way around this is to add decorations a little at a time and slowly get the shark used to bright lighting. Reply

Quinn.f - 2008-03-05 the shark on the Liveaquaria site listed $ 69.99 are actually Marbled Bamboo Cat Shark (Chiloscyllium plagiosum) aka whitespotted bamboo not Atelomycterus macleayi Reply

Cole McIntyre - 2007-11-10 Lovely fish, just great for the saltwater home aquarium. I saw some on Liveaquaria.com, they sell this shark species for $69.99. Also, its been specially (tank) bred in the U.S.A. Just search for sharks in the Marine section. Reply

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