From ReefPedia

[edit] Nurse shark Scientific Name Ginglymostoma cirratum Max. Size: 13-14 feet/4-4.3 meters (yes, that's right), however it averages about 8.2-9.8 feet/2.5-3.0 meters. Tank Size: It's best suited for Public Aquariums, while small pups can be kept in at least a 500 gallon tank. A single Adult needs a minimum of 20,000 gallons (30ft diameter). Aggression: Highly predaceous species, & very aggressive feeder but generally a fairly peaceful species. Hardiness: Extremely hardy & durable species. Reef-Safe: yes, not taking size into account Available as captive-bred: Yes - but rarely available as Captive Bred pups {width=50% style= "padding: 10px; border: 1px solid #000000" valign="top"| pic coming soon

Physical Description

First dorsal fin is slightly larger than the 2nd, a pair of barbels below the snout, tail is nearly 1/4 of total body length. Adult coloration is light to dark brown, Newborns to small Juvenile(up to 24") coloration is brown with small black spots.

Distribution

Sub-tropical/Tropical Atlantic - including Caribbean Sea & Gulf of Mexico. Also the Eastern Pacific from Southern Baja California to Peru.

Taxonomic Stuff you know you Care About

• Family: Ginglymostomatids (Nurse sharks)- a family with 3 known monogeneric species.

• Genus: Ginglymostoma

• Species: cirratum - While 3 known populations are isolated (Western Atlantic, Eastern Atlantic, and Eastern Pacific)- thay are all currently consider to be the same species.

Behavior

Spends much of it's time on bottom of tank, but also known for bursts of activity especially at night and feeding times.

Feeding

Benthic invertebrates(including Crabs,Lobsters,Shrimp,Octopuses,clams, and sea urchins) as well as various bony fishes (including mullet,herring, flounder,catfishes,sea bass,& pufferfishes), also known to prey on stingrays, and small sharks.

Breeding

oviviparous - young are born after a 5-6 month gestation, usually in litters of between 5-25 pups. And the pups tend to be about 9-11 inches at birth(depending on litter size. Also Breeding has been known to successfully occur in captivity, in public aquariums.

Social Structure

Species is known to be social with other members of own species - often in groups of up to 10 adult individuals.

Current Views

Additional Notes

The nurse shark should never be considered for a home aqaurium, unless the aquarist has the room for a swimming-pool sized pond/lagoon at least. they will not 'grow to the size of the tank'(as some LFS owner may state), and even the experienced marine aquarist should resist 'rescuing' the shark from the LFS. This may be noble, but when the shark reaches max size, it becomes too: BIG, and rather expensive to feed. Keep in mind most public aquariums have more than enough nurse sharks, and will not accept yours. And do not even think of releasing it off a beach. This species is known to live at least 25-30 years.