Animal-World > Marine Fish > Sharks and Rays > Marbled Cat Shark

Marbled Cat Shark

Family: Scyliorhinidae

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Atelomycterus macleayi Photo Đ Animal-World: Courtesy David Brough

   The Marbled Cat Shark is considered a "true catshark" with a long slender body and a narrow head. It is a bottom feeder that is found in Northern Australia.

   The adult size of 24 inches (60 cm) makes this shark the smallest we have encountered!

   The Marbled Cat Shark is considered a good aquarium choice. It is hardy and easy to take care of, though it will need a roomy marine aquarium to accommodate it when it reaches it's adult size.

For more Information on keeping this fish see:
Guide to a Happy, Healthy Marine Aquarium

Dream Aquarium Build your own aquarium. The Coolest and Funnest Screensaver in the World.

Maintenance:
   Feed all kinds of large meaty foods like small pieces of fish, squid, shrimp, and live goldfish. Best to feed small amounts several times a day.

Habitat: Natural geographic location:
   Marbled Cat Shark are found near Northern Australia.

Foods:
  Natural foods include gastropod and bivalve molluscs with smaller amounts of crabs, shrimp, and small fish.

Social Behaviors:
   This fish can be kept with other fish and is usually no problem even with smaller fish that could be eaten. They usually only try to eat fish that are either dying or distressed.

Sex: Sexual differences:
    The medial edges of the male's pelvic fins are modified to form claspers. The claspers are tubelike organs designed to deliver sperm into the female's reproductive tract. As the males grow older the claspers become more pronounced. The females do not have these.

Light: Recommended light levels:
   No special requirements.

Breeding/Reproduction:
   Oviparous egglayer. The young are about 10 cm (4 inches) in length when they hatch.

Temperature:
   No special requirements.

Length/Diameter of fish:
   Marbled Cat Shark adults can grow to 24 inches (60 cm).

Minimum Tank Length/Size:
   A minimum 100 gallon aquarium is recommended.

Water Movement: Weak, Moderate, Strong
   Not particular.

Water Region: Top, Middle, Bottom
   Spends time at the bottom of the aquarium.

Availability:
   This fish is occasionally available.

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Latest Comments
the shark on the Liveaquaria site listed $ 69.99 are actually Marbled Bamboo Cat Shark (Chiloscyllium plagiosum) aka whitespotted bamboo not Atelomycterus macleayi Quinn.f 2008-03-05
Lovely fish, just great for the saltwater home aquarium. I saw some on Liveaquaria.com, they sell this shark species for $69.99. Also, its been specially (tank) bred in the U.S.A. Just search for sharks in the Marine section. Cole McIntyre 2007-11-10
We found out today that the marbled catshark loves to eat fresh salmon. if you cannot get your shark to eat, try it out Eic 2005-11-19
IĻve kept different species of sharks(including lemon, black tips, white tips and smoothhounds). please donīt buy them, leave them in the ocean where they belong, unless you can afford a 6000 gallon tank (the lemon needs even a larger one). if you must have a shark i strongly recomend the marbled catshark. its a beautiful small shark that is easy to keep and you can mantain even as an adult in a 150 gal tank. you wonīt be dissapointed, itīs the best of the "real home sharks". wilberth 2005-10-12
Do not feed a saltwater shark...thats really expensive... disease ridden, non-nutritious goldfish! i can guarantee you will lose your shark the second you put a bad batch of goldfish in there. buy ghost shrimp and put some vita-chem in the bag so they absorb it, that way they can have some healthy substance. Do yourself a favor and read the book they advertise. There you will also find how to tell the sexual difference in your shark. I have a little girl, who loves her healthy and frozen squid mixed with vita-chem so she lives a long time. Please people do research before you buy! for the fishes/sharks sake. john 2005-04-20
Some of the coolest comments:
I have this shark. It was very shy for about 2 months when I first introduced it to my aquarium. But he finally came around and now he is all over the tank, loves to eat, and is great to view under black lights at night. What a hunter at night when you put in some feeder fish, great show. Michael parise 04/18/04 michael parise 2004-07-18

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