Brownbanded Bamboo Shark

The brownbanded bamboo shark only displays its aforementioned dark bands when it is young! When it reaches adulthood, it loses its dark stripes and matures into a plain light brown or grey colour. This small and gentle shark hangs out close to the sea floor and is thought to eat bottom-dwelling invertebrates and smaller fish.

Unfortunately, this species is locally endangered as it is intensely fished for its meat and fins. It is also sometimes inadvertently caught as bycatch. If you go fishing and accidentally catch a brownbanded bamboo shark, please release it as this endangered species is likely to survive if released immediately!