Nurse Shark
From Microcosm Aquarium Explorer
Occasionally available to home aquarists, but nearly impossible to house for its full lifespan. Scott W. Michael
[edit] Overview
However tempted, please steer clear of this shark. It can easily attain a length of over 10 ft. (3 m). (It gets much bigger in the wild.) It takes a mammoth system to hold one of these beasts for its entire life. Euthanasia is often the sad end result. Do your research before buying any shark or ray species.
Family: Ginglymostomatidae
Other common name(s):
Native range:
Habitat: A shark of shallow waters, during daylight a sleepy, inactive animal. At night it feeds over shallow bottoms, eating fish, crustaceans, mollusks, sea urchins and jellyfish. It can spring into action if a feeding opportunity arises. (It will attack humans if surprised.)
Maximum length: 430 cm (169 in)
Minimum aquarium size: 18,240 L (4,818 gal)
Water: Marine 20 °C (293 K, 68 °F) - 28 °C (301 K, 82 °F)
General swimming level: Near bottom.
[edit] Feeding
Carnivore. Feeds on fishes, crabs, shrimp, lobsters, and octopus in the wild. In captivity, feed twice weekly to satiation with marine fish and crustacean flesh.
[edit] Aquarium Compatibility
Will topple corals and rockwork in all typical home marine aquaria and will eat most purchased aquarium livestock other than corals.
| Common name | Nurse Shark + |
| Family | Ginglymostomatidae + |
| Genus | Ginglymostoma + |
| Image credit | SWM + |
| Maximum length | 169 in + |
| Minimum aquarium size | 4,818 gal + |
| Native range | Caribbean +, Atlantic Ocean +, and Eastern Pacific Ocean + |
| Reference | A PocketExpert Guide to Marine Fishes + |
| Specific name | cirratum + |
| Swimming level | Near bottom. + |
| Text credit | SWM + |
| Water max temp | 301 K (28 °C, 82 °F) + |
| Water min temp | 293 K (20 °C, 68 °F) + |
| Water type | Marine + |