The Grey bambooshark (Chiloscyllium griseum), is a species of shark belonging to the family Hemiscylliidae, found in the Indo-West Pacific Oceans from the Arabian Sea to Pakistan, India, Malaysia and Thailand. Adults are plain grey-brown in color without any obvious markings.
Family: Hemiscylliidae – Longtail Carpetsharks
Genus: Chiloscyllium
Species: griseum
Phylum– Chordata
Class– Chondrichthyles
Common Name– Carpet Sharks
Family– Hemiscylliidae
Common Name– Longtail Carpetsharks or Bamboo Sharks
Genus– Chiloscyllium
Species– griseum
Status: IUCN Red List NEAR THREATENED
Average Size and Length: Hatchlings are typically less than 12 cm/ 4.7 inches. Mature male sharks are typically between 45-55 cm/ 1.5-1.8 feet. The longest recorded has been 77 cm/ 2.5 feet.
Head: The snout is relatively long. The spiracles are large and just under the eyes. They have a long snout with subterminal notches. The nasal barbels are short. The mouth is small and transverse.
Tail: The tail is thick and long.
Demographic, Distribution, Habitat, Environment and Range: The Grey bambooshark can be found in the Indo-west Pacific. They have been found in Pakistan, Sri Lanka, India, Malaysia, and Thailand (34° N and 10° S, 60° E and 150° E). There are some reported records from further east, but these records are more than likely another species. They can be found inshore on rocks and in lagoons between 16-262 feet.
Diet: They more than likely feed on invertebrates.
Aesthetic Identification: The Grey bambooshark adults are grey-brown in color and are typically not patterned. Young typically have obvious dark saddle marks and transverse bands. There is not black edging present. Their bodies are slender, elongated and cylindrical. The dorsal fins have straight or convex rear margins. The dorsal fins are long. The anal fin is set far back on the think and long tail. The origin of the first dorsal fin is over the rear of the pelvic fin bases. There are no body ridges. The pectoral and pelvic fins are thin and not very muscular. The gill slits are closer to the first pectoral fin than the snout.
Biology and Reproduction: They are oviparous. They lay small, oval eggcases on the bottom.
Behavioral Traits, Sensing and Intelligence: Their behavior is unknown.
Grey Bambooshark Future and Conservation: They are considered near threatened, but are quite common among their range. They are fished for food and that is why they are close to being threatened They are also targeted for private and home aquariums, and are kept in public aquariums.
Grey Bambooshark Recorded Attacks on Humans: Not a threat to humans.