Where to buy Epaulette Shark
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About Epaulette Shark
The Epaulette Shark is a small, elongated bottom-dwelling shark with a tan to brownish body covered in darker spots and blotches. It has distinctive white-edged black ocelli (eye-spots) above each pectoral fin, which resemble epaulettes on a military uniform. The head is flattened, barbels are present near the nostrils, and the body tapers toward the tail.
Key facts
- Care Requirements
- • Minimum 125 gallon tank with strong substrate depth for burrowing behavior • Temperature range 72–78°F; maintain stable conditions • Salinity 1.020–1.025 SG; use a high-quality protein skimmer and regular water changes • Provide hiding spots such as PVC pipes, caves, or rock formations; this species is primarily nocturnal • Feed a varied meaty diet 2–3 times per week; small crustaceans and fish pieces are preferred • Keep only with peaceful, non-predatory fish; will consume small fish and crustaceans
- Diet Details
- Feed a varied diet of meaty foods including thawed frozen crustaceans (krill, shrimp), small fish, and squid. Offer food 2–3 times per week. This species is a benthic forager and prefers foods that sink to the substrate.
- Reef safety
- Not Reef Safe
- Appearance
- The Epaulette Shark is a small, elongated bottom-dwelling shark with a tan to brownish body covered in darker spots and blotches. It has distinctive white-edged black ocelli (eye-spots) above each pectoral fin, which resemble epaulettes on a military uniform. The head is flattened, barbels are present near the nostrils, and the body tapers toward the tail.
- Common Health Issues
- Ich, bacterial infections, starvation (if not fed appropriately), poor water quality stress
- Water Parameters
- Temperature: 72-78°F pH: 8.1-8.3 Salinity: 1.02-1.025
- Max Size
- 42
- Aka
- Itar Shark, Bamboa Ocelada
- Family
- Hemiscyllidae
- Feeding Schedule
- Feed 2-3 times daily
- Origin
- Indo-Pacific, including the coasts of New Guinea, Indonesia, and northern Australia. Found in shallow coastal waters and tidal pools at depths from the intertidal zone to approximately 80 meters.
- Care Level
- Moderate
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