Tawny nurse shark (Nebrius ferrugineus) fish species and information / pictures of Tawny nurse shark - Nebrius ferrugineus

Tawny nurse shark (Nebrius ferrugineus) fish species information

Scientific Name
Nebrius ferrugineus

Common Name
Tawny nurse shark

Biology
Found on continental and insular shelves, from the intertidal down to at least 70 m. Occurs on or near the bottom in lagoons or along the outer edges of coral and rocky reefs, sandy areas near reefs and off sandy beaches. Primarily nocturnal, but may be active during the day. Prefers crevices and caves on reefs but may be found hiding in more exposed areas. Forms resting aggregations, and often seen piled across or on top of one another. Feeds on a wide variety of bottom invertebrates, small fishes , including cephalopods, crustaceans and sea urchins. Docile and known to allow itself to be touched, but a few non-fatal attacks have been recorded. Ovoviviparous. 4 or more young are born per litter. Survives in captivity. Mar

Classification

Classified By
Lesson, 1831
Class
Sharks and Rays (Elasmobranchii)
Order
Carpet sharks (Orectolobiformes)
Family
Nurse sharks (Ginglymostomatidae)

Distribution

Region
Indo-Pacific
Distribution
Indo-Pacific: Red Sea and East Africa to the Tuamoto Islands, north to southern Japan, south to Australia.
Range
41°N - 27°S, 32°E - 169°W

Environment

Climate
Tropical
Water Temperature From
Unknown °C
Water Temperature To
Unknown °C
Depth From - meters
1 m
Depth To - meters
70 m
Zone
reef-associated
Environment
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 1 - 70 m , usually 5 - 30 m
Trophic Level
4.1 s.e. 0.51 Based on diet studies.
Occurs in Marine / Salt water
True
Occurs in Brackish water
False
Occurs in Fresh Water
False
Occurs on Reefs
True
Is kept in Aquariums
False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length
320 cm
Common Length
250 cm
Phylogenetic Diversity Index
PD50 = 1.1250 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses
Fisheries: commercial; gamefish: yes
Vulnerability
High vulnerability (61 of 100)
Resilience
Very Low, minimum population doubling time more than 14 years (Fec=4)
Threat To Humans
Traumatogenic (Ref. 247)
IUCN Red List Status
Vulnerable (VU)(A2abcd+3cd+4abcd)