Neptune’s rating:
44- Conservation StatusVulnerable
- DifficultyDifficult
- HardinessResilient
- Liters per Fish2000 L
- OriginWestern Atlantic And Eastern Pacific Oceans
- pH6.0 - 8.0
- PopularityUncommon
- RarityRare
- Temperature24.0 - 28.0 °C
- VibrancyDull
Please note: These values are based on the average of various confirmed sources.
More about Nurse shark
The Nurse shark (Ginglymostoma cirratum) is primarily tan or gray in color, featuring a distinctive, elongated body with a flattened head and broad, rounded snout. Originating from the coastal regions of the Atlantic and eastern Pacific Oceans, this species typically frequents shallow, tropical, and subtropical waters. Despite its docile nature, the Nurse shark is not commonly kept in the aquarium hobby, mainly due to its large size, reaching lengths of up to 14 feet (4.3 meters), and specific habitat requirements.
Did you know?
The nurse shark is known for its sedentary lifestyle during the day, often found lying motionless on the ocean floor. Unlike most other sharks, the nurse shark can pump water across its gills, allowing it to breathe while remaining still, making it one of the few shark species that doesn't need to keep moving to breathe. This makes them quite a sight in shallow waters, where they're often spotted by divers!
Frequently asked questions
Nurse sharks are thought to be named for the sucking sound they make when hunting for prey in the sand, which is similar to the noise of a nursing baby. Another theory suggests that the name comes from the Old English word "nusse," which means cat shark. This connection could be due to their sluggish nature and small, cat-like whiskers called barbels, which they use to search for food along the ocean floor.