Banded Cat Shark

My species/animal is a fish — Banded Cat Shark (Chiloscyllium punctatum) — a peaceful species that is reef-safe with caution, admired for its distinctive dark banded pattern against a pale background, slender body, and bottom-dwelling habits.

Males typically have claspers near their pelvic fins and tend to be slightly slimmer and smaller, while females/juveniles are generally larger and more robust in build. They reach about 36–42 inches in length and should be housed in aquariums of at least 300 gallons.

Provide a soft sandbed to protect their delicate undersides, plenty of live rock or caves for hiding spots, and ample open swimming space, with stable water parameters (salinity ~1.020–1.025, temp ~72–79°F, pH ~8.1–8.4), and a secure lid since they are prone to jumping.

Diet should consist of meaty foods such as shrimp, squid, small fish, and other marine-origin seafood, and with proper care this fish makes a standout addition to the aquarium.

International Aquatics Quarantine & Guarantee: All fish are checked by marine vets, given a formalin bath, and held for 14 days in copper-treated systems. We feed Selcon-soaked food with Kanaplex and Metroplex during quarantine. Unless marked, all livestock comes with our 15-Day Guarantee. You will receive a video of your fish eating before shipment. On request, we also send photos/videos after arrival at IA. Some species are import-to-order (3-10 business days). Many common species are already cleared or near the end of QT.

Several species will be import-to-order and may take anywhere from 3-10 business days to secure. Once your fish is secured, you will be notified, and the quarantine process will then begin.