Nurse Shark
Ginglymostoma cirratum
The nurse shark (Ginglymostoma cirratum) is a sluggish, epibenthic carpet shark native to the coastal Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Recognized by its long barbels, hinged mouth, and rounded dorsal fins, this nocturnal predator rests on the sea floor during the day and hunts small fish and invertebrates at night.
Temperatura da água
24 - 28 °C
Valor de pH
8.1 - 8.4
Tipo de água
Marinho
Nível do tanque
Parte inferior
Tamanho adulto
430 cm
Volume mínimo do tanque
>= 500 L
Grupo mínimo
>= 1
KH
7 - 12 dKH
Descrição da espécie
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Widely distributed in the warm waters of the Atlantic Ocean and the Eastern Pacific. Inhabits shallow coral reefs, mangrove channels and sandy plains. It is a sedentary benthic predator.
Taxonomy and Morphology: Nurse Shark. Corpulent and massive elasmobranch that grows slowly to cyclopean proportions: over 4 meters (13 feet) and 300 kg of weight. Tiny terminal mouth placed under a pair of sensory barbels ("mustaches"), used to flush out crustaceans.
Social Behavior: Indolent, placid and nocturnal. In nature, during the day they mass together in close groups, sleeping piled on top of each other under the reef caves. At night they actively patrol the seabed, generating powerful coughs to suck up hidden prey.
Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Uniform yellowish-brown color (young present small dark spots destined to disappear). Very rough skin, covered with dermal denticles similar to sandpaper. Males develop long claspers (cylindrical reproductive organs) between the pelvic fins.
Cuidado, criação e companheiros de tanque
Aquarium Setup: EXCLUSIVELY FOR PUBLIC AQUARIUMS. Absolutely impossible and illegal to keep in home tanks (although pups are cruelly sold in the American aquarium market). Requires circular concrete pools of 100,000 liters (25,000 gallons) and up.
Diet and Feeding: Carnivore (durophagous). Feeds by sucking the prey with a force equal to an industrial vacuum cleaner. In public aquariums it consumes kilos of whole squid, lobsters, octopus and thick fish fillets. They have a formidable appetite.
Water Quality: Being waste machines, they require mammoth foam fractionation systems (Industrial skimmers) and powerful Ozone and UV disinfection systems. Tropical marine water: 24-28°C (75-82°F), SG 1.020-1.025. A drop in oxygen is quickly fatal for animals this big.
Compatibility and Cohabitation: In public aquariums it is placed in the "Predator" ocean tanks. Cohabits with blacktip reef sharks (Carcharhinus), giant groupers and stingrays. Will swallow anything slow or injured that comes into contact with its snout.
Aquarium Breeding: Ovoviviparous. Captive breeding is extremely rare due to the immense tanks required to complete the mating ritual (in which the male violently bites the female to immobilize her). Pups are born live and fully formed at about 30 cm (12 inches) in length.
Risks and Diseases: The risk is linked to the compulsive purchase of this creature by private individuals who condemn them to hardship and bone deformities in tiny cubic tanks. The jaws of the nurse shark do not cut, but crush: a defensive bite disintegrates the bones of a hand.
Origem e distribuição geográfica
Widely distributed in the warm waters of the Atlantic Ocean and the Eastern Pacific. Inhabits shallow coral reefs, mangrove channels and sandy plains. It is a sedentary benthic predator.
Origem
Oceanos tropicais e recifesAmérica do NorteLeste Asiático
Perfil de peixe
- Temperamento
- Semi-aggressive
- It is generally docile. It can bite defensively if provoked. It is an active nocturnal hunter.
- Dieta
- Omnivore
- It is a large carnivore. Feed fresh or frozen seafood. Vitamin supplements are absolutely necessary.
- Expectativa de vida
- 25-30 years
- Tamanho adulto
- 430 cm
- Proporção sexual
- Flexible
- It is kept solitarily. Public aquariums keep one male with females. They tolerate their own kind.
- Frequência de alimentação
- Twice daily
- It requires less frequent feeding. Feed two to three times weekly. Overfeeding causes severe water degradation.
- Carga biológica
- Extreme
- This predator produces an immense bioload. Industrial-sized filtration is mandatory. Frequent large water changes are required.
- Fluxo
- Moderate
- Ginglymostoma cirratum needs steady, moderate circulation distributed across the aquarium rather than a narrow, forceful jet. EXCLUSIVELY FOR PUBLIC AQUARIUMS. Absolutely impossible and illegal to keep in home tanks (although pups are cruelly sold in the American aquarium market). This preserves useful water exchange while retaining calmer shelter for rest and feeding.
- Risco de salto
- Yes
- It is a powerful animal. It can breach the surface. A heavily reinforced lid is required.
- Reprodução
- Oviparous
- It gives birth to live young. Captive breeding requires massive facilities. Mating involves aggressive biting behavior.
- Compatibilidade e companheiros de tanque
- Species only
- It will eat smaller fish. Keep it in species-only setups. It is unsuitable for standard reefs.
- Nível do tanque
- Bottom
- It is strictly a bottom-dweller. A massive floor space is essential. Provide large caves for hiding.
Modelos e parâmetros científicos
FishBase
Acesso aos dados científicos oficiais da espécie
FishBase v25.04Dados sincronizados em: 15/06/2026
- Nível trófico
- 4,2 ± 0,2 se
- Resiliência
- Baixa (4,5 - 14 anos)
- Unicidade filogenética (PD50)
- 0.8125
- Relação bayesiana comprimento-peso
- a = 0.00417, b = 3.08
- VulnerabilidadeVulnerabilidade muito alta (90 / 100)
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