Bamboo sharks and carpet sharks are the common names for the members of the Hemiscylliidae family. The family members are distinguished by having a lizard like shape body, two similarly shaped dorsal fins, long precaudal tail and very large spiracles located behind and below their eyes. Their second dorsal fin about as large as the first dorsal fin and of similar shape. Their anal fin moderately large, very low, broad and rounded, with its origin well behind the second dorsal-fin base and its base separated by a notch from the caudal fin.
Members of the Hemiscylliidae are found in the tropical inshore waters of the Indian and western Pacific waters. They are slow-swimming bottom-dwellers, confined to continental waters and continental islands. They feed on invertebrates and small fishes. These sharks are harmless to people.
There are 2 genera and 17 species worldwide. Malaysia has 2 genera and about 6 species.
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Scientific Name: Chiloscyllium indicum (Gmelin, 1789) English Name: Slender Bambooshark Mandarin Name: 狗母鲨 (Gǒu mǔ shā) Local Malay Name: Yu Bodoh, Yu Tokeh, Yu Punai, Yu-cicak Tembaga Local Hokkien: Kau Bo Sua Main Diagnostic Features: First dorsal-fin origin over inner margins of pelvic tins and behind pelvic-fin insertions. Light brown color above, cream below, with numerous dark spots on body, tail, and fins. Size: Size: Maximum total length about 65 cm.  Scientific Name: Chiloscyllium punctatum Müller & Henle, 1838 English Name: Brownbanded Bambooshark Mandarin Name: 狗母鲨 (Gǒu mǔ shā) Local Malay Name: Yu Bodoh, Yu Tokeh, Yu Punai, Yu-cicak Insang Putih Local Hokkien: Kau Bo Sua Main Diagnostic Features: Two dorsal fins, somewhat larger than pelvic fins and with attenuated, projecting free rear tips. First dorsal-fin origin over anterior halves of pelvic-fin bases. Size: Size: Maximum total length about 132 cm.     |