WHATSTHATFISH
Sharks & rays

Tawny Nurse Shark

Nebrius ferrugineus

Also known as: Carpet Shark, Giant Sleepy Shark, Madame X, Rusty Catshark, Rusty Shark, Sleeping Shark, Sleepy Shark, Spitting Shark, Tawny Shark

VUVulnerableIUCN Red List, 2021
Handle with careLook, don't touch
Adult
@fishx6 · Mirihi Island Resort, Maldives · June 20101 / 4
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Overview

Found singly or in small shivers, during the day hiding in caves, crevices, and under ledges, over shallow, sandy bottoms, of lagoons and outer edges of coral and rocky reefs, dispersing at night hunting for food.
They feed nocturnally on cephalopods, crustaceans, small fish, benthic invertebrates, and sea urchins.

Nurse sharks are usually found on the sea floor hiding or foraging for food using the barbels of their mouths to sift the substrate.

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How to identify

COLOURS
Head & Mouth
barbels

Tap any trait to see other fish that share it.

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Habitat & where to find it

  • Range · Indo-Pacific
  • Exact location · 1
  • Country only · 3
LIVES IN

Found singly or in small shivers, during the day hiding in caves, crevices, and under ledges, over shallow, sandy bottoms, of lagoons and outer edges of coral and rocky reefs, dispersing at night hunting for food.

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Adult photos 4

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Discussion

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    ALL STAGES
    FOR THE MARINE-BIOLOGY CURIOUS

    Deep dive

    Taxonomy

    1. kingdomAnimalia
    2. phylumChordata
    3. classElasmobranchii
    4. orderOrectolobiformes
    5. familyGinglymostomatidae
    6. genusNebrius
    7. speciesNebrius ferrugineus (Lesson, 1831)

    SourcesWoRMSFishBase

    06

    More in the family

    Orectolobiformes