Benthic sharks

This picture is of the white spotted bamboo sharks and epaulette sharks that are in the shark touch pool at North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher. They are both benthic sharks but from different parts of the world. The epaulette shark is the spotted shark and has a native habitat of New Guinea and the northern coast of Australia. They have received their common name from the false eyes behind their spiracles which look like military epaulettes. They are fully grown at 3 feet and have paddle shaped fins. They are a nocturnal species which inhabit coral reefs and tidal pools. Instead of swimming, they wriggle their bodies and "walk" on their paired pectoral fins. This species feeds on a wide range of benthic invertebrates and bony fishes. They are of least concern due to only being wanted for the small aquarium trade. White spotted bamboo sharks are native to the IndoPacific. They can grow up to 3 feet and have long dorsal fins. Their dorsal fin can be altered due to where they choose to live and how they move. They are nocturnal and prey on small fish and invertebrates. Both of these species are oviparous which means they lay eggs. White spotted bamboo sharks are also popular in the small aquarium trade as well as used for human consumption in Taiwan and Madagascar. This picture is demonstrating coexisting because these species are not used to living near each other and now are living in harmony in their tank together.

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