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Brownbanded Bamboo Shark

Brownbanded Bamboo Shark

Chiloscyllium punctatum

The Brownbanded Bamboo Shark is one of the most commonly kept sharks in the hobby, hatching from distinctive mermaid's-purse egg cases. Juveniles are strikingly banded in brown and white, fading to solid brown as adults. Requires a minimum 180-gallon tank with a large sand bed, dim lighting, and no sharp rockwork. It WILL eat any fish or invertebrate small enough to fit in its mouth — plan tankmates accordingly.

TemperamentSemi-aggressive
Max Size40"
Care LevelDifficult
CategoryShark

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Compatibility Chart for Brownbanded Bamboo Shark

See how Brownbanded Bamboo Shark gets along with every other species in our database.

Compatible (31)

Powder Blue Tang Compatible No known issues between these species Kole Tang Compatible No known issues between these species Naso Tang Compatible Naso is large enough to coexist Flame Angelfish Compatible No known issues between these species Coral Beauty Angelfish Compatible No known issues between these species Emperor Angelfish Compatible Emperor is large enough; can work in FOWLR French Angelfish Compatible Large angel can coexist Purple Tang Compatible No known issues between these species Scopas Tang Compatible No known issues between these species Clown Tang Compatible No known issues between these species Convict Tang Compatible No known issues between these species Tomini Tang Compatible No known issues between these species Epaulette Shark Compatible Both bottom-dwelling sharks; can coexist in 300g+ Coral Catshark Compatible Similar temperament; can coexist in large tanks Magnificent Foxface Compatible No known issues between these species One Spot Foxface Compatible No known issues between these species Masked Rabbitfish Compatible No known issues between these species Niger Triggerfish Compatible Niger is calm; can coexist Bluechin Triggerfish Compatible No known issues between these species Undulate Triggerfish Compatible No known issues between these species Pinktail Triggerfish Compatible No known issues between these species Long Tentacle Anemone Compatible No known issues between these species Sebae Anemone Compatible No known issues between these species Chicago Sunburst BTA Compatible No known issues between these species Rose Bubble Tip Anemone Compatible No known issues between these species Rainbow Bubble Tip Anemone Compatible No known issues between these species Colorado Sunburst BTA Compatible No known issues between these species Rhodactis Mushroom Compatible No known issues between these species Ricordea Florida Compatible No known issues between these species Ricordea Yuma Compatible No known issues between these species Bounce Mushroom Compatible No known issues between these species

Somewhat Compatible (7)

Yellow Tang Somewhat Compatible Tang may be too small; risky in tanks under 300g Blue Hippo Tang Somewhat Compatible Blue tang may be okay if large; monitor Achilles Tang Somewhat Compatible Risky; achilles is ich-prone and stressed by sharks Sohal Tang Somewhat Compatible Sohal is aggressive but large enough Foxface Rabbitfish Somewhat Compatible Foxface venomous spines help; still risky Picasso Triggerfish Somewhat Compatible Trigger may nip at shark; tense Clown Triggerfish Somewhat Compatible Both aggressive; standoff likely

Risky (2)

Horn Shark Risky Different temperature requirements Green Star Polyps Risky GSP may survive but will be disturbed

Not Compatible (52)

Ocellaris Clownfish Not Compatible Shark will eat clownfish at night True Percula Clownfish Not Compatible Shark will eat clownfish Maroon Clownfish Not Compatible Even maroon clown is shark food Clarkii Clownfish Not Compatible Shark will eat clownfish Six Line Wrasse Not Compatible Will be eaten Fairy Wrasse Not Compatible Will be eaten Melanurus Wrasse Not Compatible Will be eaten Cleaner Wrasse Not Compatible Will be eaten Yellowspotted Wrasse Not Compatible Shark will eat wrasse Clown Goby Not Compatible Instant snack Firefish Goby Not Compatible Easy prey for shark Yellow Watchman Goby Not Compatible Shark will eat goby Mandarin Dragonet Not Compatible Slow mandarin is easy prey Blue Devil Damselfish Not Compatible Shark will eat damselfish Green Chromis Not Compatible Shark will eat chromis Yellowtail Damselfish Not Compatible Shark food Copperband Butterflyfish Not Compatible Will be eaten Raccoon Butterflyfish Not Compatible Will be eaten Longnose Butterflyfish Not Compatible Will be eaten Flame Hawkfish Not Compatible Will be eaten Longnose Hawkfish Not Compatible Will be eaten Midas Blenny Not Compatible Will be eaten Tailspot Blenny Not Compatible Will be eaten Lawnmower Blenny Not Compatible Will be eaten Bicolor Blenny Not Compatible Will be eaten Royal Gramma Not Compatible Too small; will be eaten Banggai Cardinalfish Not Compatible Slow cardinal is easy prey Pajama Cardinalfish Not Compatible Will be eaten Bubble Tip Anemone Not Compatible Shark will get stung and thrash, destroying tank Magnificent Anemone Not Compatible Disastrous combination Carpet Anemone Not Compatible Carpet may sting shark; both suffer Skunk Cleaner Shrimp Not Compatible Shark will eat all shrimp Fire Shrimp Not Compatible Shark will eat shrimp Peppermint Shrimp Not Compatible Shark will eat shrimp Tiger Pistol Shrimp Not Compatible Shark will eat shrimp Sexy Shrimp Not Compatible Instant snack Emerald Crab Not Compatible Shark will eat crabs Blue Leg Hermit Crab Not Compatible Shark will crunch hermits Turbo Snail Not Compatible Shark will eat snails Nassarius Snail Not Compatible Shark will eat snails Tuxedo Urchin Not Compatible Shark will eat urchins Red Fromia Starfish Not Compatible Shark will eat starfish Hammer Coral Not Compatible Will crush LPS Torch Coral Not Compatible Will destroy coral Frogspawn Coral Not Compatible Will crush coral Zoanthids Not Compatible Will scrape zoas off rocks Mushroom Coral Not Compatible Will destroy soft corals Pulsing Xenia Not Compatible Will destroy Acropora Not Compatible Shark will knock over and crush corals Montipora Not Compatible Will destroy corals thrashing around Leather Coral Not Compatible Will knock over and crush Duncan Coral Not Compatible Will crush coral

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