Whitespotted bamboo shark

Chiloscyllium plagiosum is a small, benthic shark belonging to the family Hemiscylliidae (bamboo sharks or longtail carpet sharks), found in the tropical Indo-West Pacific from India to Japan and Australia. Adults typically reach 90–95 cm in total length and are characterized by an elongated, slender body with a broad, slightly flattened head, small nasal barbels, and a distinctive color pattern of dark bands and white spots on a brownish background (though patterning fades in adults). They possess two spineless dorsal fins set far back, broad pectoral and pelvic fins used for "walking" along the seafloor, and a long caudal fin. They inhabit coral reefs, tide pools, and shallow coastal waters, often resting in crevices during the day. C. plagiosum is primarily nocturnal, feeding on small invertebrates including shrimp, crabs, mollusks, and small fishes. Reproduction is oviparous; females deposit flattened, purse-shaped egg cases that attach to substrate. Incubation lasts several months, and hatchlings are about 14 cm long. This species is commonly kept in public aquariums due to its hardiness and manageable size. It is also used in biomedical research on shark immunity and cartilage biology. Overfishing and habitat loss threaten some populations.