Latin name

Chiloscyllium plagiosum

Other name

Chiloscyllium plagiosum

Identification

The white-spotted bamboo shark has a fairly dense cylindrical body with lateral ridges and dorsal ridges in front of and between the dorsal fins. The snout is rounded, conical in profile. The eyes are dorsolateral. Eye length is 1.4-2.2% of body length. There are spiracles behind the eyes. The gill slits are small. The nostrils are framed by antennae. The outer edge of the nostrils is surrounded by folds and grooves. The lower and upper teeth are not clearly differentiated, having a central point and several lateral denticles. The distance from the tip of the snout to the pectoral fins is 15-19.4% of the body length. The total number of vertebrae is 161-185. The number of coils of the spiral gutter varies from 16 to 17. 

Features of fish fins

Pectoral and pelvic fins are fairly large, broad and rounded. The first dorsal fin is slightly larger than the second. There are no spines at their bases. The distance between their bases is small, comparable to the length of the base of the first dorsal fin and equal to 9.3-11.6% of the body length. The base of the first dorsal fin is posterior to the base of the pelvic fins. The height of the first and second dorsal fins is 5.4-7.3% and 4.7-6.8% of the body length respectively. The base of the long, low, keel-shaped anal fin is posterior to the base of the second dorsal fin. The length of the base of the anal fin is less than 6 times its height. The distance from the tip of the snout to the anal opening is 31.1-35.1% of the body length. The distance from the anal opening to the tip of the caudal fin is 61.8-67.1% of the body length. The caudal fin is asymmetrical, the upper lobe is not elevated above the apex of the body and there is a ventral notch on its edge. The lower lobe is not developed. Lateral carinae and precaudal fossa on the caudal peduncle are absent. 

Fish colouring

The brown body of the white-spotted bamboo shark is covered with numerous white spots. Young sharks have saddle stripes which fade with age. There have been cases of albino births in captivity.

Distribution

Widespread in the eastern Indian Ocean and western Pacific Ocean. Found in the waters of the People's Republic of China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam. 

Habitat

A tropical marine bottom dweller. These sharks are found on coral reefs at depths of up to 18 metres.

Size

Maximum recorded length 95 cm (females) and 83 cm (males). Reported age: 25 years.

Behavior

They are nocturnal, hiding in underwater crevices and caves during the day. They hunt at night. 

A female white-spotted bamboo shark in the public aquarium at Belle Isle Aquarium, which had not been in contact with males for 6 years, gave birth to 3 pups. According to various theories, the female had both female and male reproductive organs; she was able to retain the male's sperm for a long time, or she laid eggs without sperm (a process called parthenogenesis).

Food and feeding habits

The diet of this species consists of bony fish and invertebrates. 

Reproduction

They reproduce by laying eggs. The reproduction of these sharks has been observed in captivity. From spring to summer, females lay 2 eggs every 6-7 days. In winter and spring the interval between clutches is 6 days. Embryonic development in the eggs is between 110 and 135 days (average 128.5 days). The length of the newborns is about 16.6 cm. The maximum duration of the laying season was 87 days, during which a female laid 26 eggs, of which 11 were infertile. Males and females reach sexual maturity when they reach a length of 50-83 cm and 95 cm respectively.

Fishing

Of little interest for commercial fishing. 

Relationship with a person

This species is suitable for keeping in the home aquarium. The flesh and fins are used for food. 

The main threat to the population is habitat degradation, particularly reef destruction. The International Union for Conservation of Nature has listed this species as Near Threatened.