Nurse shark (Ginglymostoma cirratum) care guide

Group
Marine fish
Family
Ginglymostomatidae (nurse sharks)
Water
saltwater
Maximum size
430 cm
Temperature
24–27°C
pH
8.1–8.4
Hardness
Salinity SG 1.023–1.026
Care level
expert
Temperament
semi_aggressive
Reef safe
no

Care

Tank and decor: at 430 cm adult length this shark outgrows home aquaria and is for public-aquarium-sized systems. The list quotes a minimum of 4800 US gallons (about 18170 litres), with a large footprint of open sand and smooth rockwork. Strong filtration and a secure cover are essential. Water: our sources give no species-specific figures, so the values here are general marine aquarium guidance, not species-specific: 24–27 °C, pH 8.1–8.4 and specific gravity 1.023–1.026. Sharks are sensitive to copper and many other medications. Behaviour and identification: a large, sluggish bottom-dwelling shark with barbels by the nostrils. The list says it is durable but grows far too large for most home aquaria, reaching 430 cm. It is an aggressive feeder that makes feeding shy sharks harder and can rearrange decor. Selling: our policies require the adult size and long-term tank needs to be stated clearly in the listing. Large fish must travel by a specialist live-animal courier (see the Livestock shipping guide). Sources: Wikipedia, List of marine aquarium fish species (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Listofmarineaquariumfishspecies). Checked October 2026.

Diet

Carnivorous. Feed a varied diet of meaty marine foods such as squid, prawn, mussels, clams and fish pieces, with a vitamin and iodine supplement to help prevent goitre. Feed two or three times a week to appetite rather than daily; overfeeding causes fast growth and health problems.

Breeding

Our sources for this page give no species-specific breeding details.

Compatibility and tank mates

Not reef safe. It will eat any fish or invertebrate it can catch and competes hard at feeding time. Only for public aquaria with large, robust tankmates.

Last updated 8 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.

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