Grey Banded Bamboo Shark

The Grey Banded Bamboo Shark is a classic cat shark-style species that adds instant wow factor to a large marine aquarium. As a juvenile, it shows soft grey bands along a lighter body, which gradually blend into a more subtle pattern as it matures. Its slow, “walking” movement along the sandbed makes it one of those fish you can watch for hours.

This shark is best suited for experienced saltwater keepers with a big, dedicated system. It spends most of its time resting on the bottom or slowly cruising the tank, so footprint is more important than tank height. A wide aquarium with lots of open sand, gentle flow, and smooth rockwork is ideal. A fine sand substrate is a must to protect its belly and fins – rough gravel can cause scrapes that easily turn into infections.

Grey Banded Bamboo Sharks are generally calm but still predators. They do best with larger, peaceful tankmates that won’t nip at their fins and are clearly too big to be viewed as food. Small fish, shrimp, crabs, and other inverts are likely to disappear over time as the shark grows. A tight-fitting, secure lid is strongly recommended, as sharks can be surprisingly strong and may push up loose covers.

Feeding is simple but needs to be consistent. Offer a varied, meaty diet of marine-based foods like shrimp, squid, clam, krill, and pieces of fish. Target feeding with tongs right on the sandbed helps make sure your shark gets its share without dumping too much extra food into the system. Strong biological filtration, good oxygenation, and stable, clean water are the keys to long-term success with this species.

• Common Name: Grey Banded Bamboo Shark
• Care Level: Advanced
• Temperament: Generally Peaceful, Predatory
• Minimum Tank Size: 180+ gallons with a large footprint and open sandbed
• Environment: Tropical marine, stable and well-oxygenated
• Reef Compatibility: Not reef-safe with small fish or invertebrates
• Diet: Carnivore – meaty marine foods, best target-fed with tongs
• Ideal Substrate: Fine sand with smooth, stable rock structures

If you’ve been wanting a shark that feels impressive without being overly aggressive, the Grey Banded Bamboo Shark is a fantastic option. In the right setup, with plenty of room, soft sand, and thoughtful tankmates, it becomes a calm, long-lived centerpiece that steals the show every time it glides across the bottom.