Zebra Shark

ID points

• Adults yellow-brown covered in black spots
• Juveniles have black and white bars, completely unlike the adults
• Tail very long, nearly half the total length

Basics

Family

Stegostomatidae

Length

2.0–2.5 m

Depth

0-60 m

Regions

Indo-Pacific reefs

Distribution

Indo-Pacific coral reefs and sandy sea beds

Habitat

Sandy bottoms beside coral reefs

Diet

Molluscs, crustaceans

Easily confused with

Yellow Watchman GobyBright yellow all over, scattered with small pale blue spotsCatsharkNarrow cat-like eyes with a nictitating membraneFlatwormBody as thin as a sheet of paper, with rippling edges

Fun fact

Young zebra sharks are boldly banded in black and white like a zebra, which is where the name comes from. As they grow the bands break up and fade away, and the adult ends up covered in dark spots like a leopard. Few fish change their appearance so completely.