Ornate wobbegong (Orectolobus ornatus) care guide

Group
Marine fish
Family
Orectolobidae (wobbegongs)
Water
saltwater
Maximum size
290 cm
Temperature
24–27°C
pH
8.1–8.4
Hardness
Salinity SG 1.023–1.026
Care level
expert
Temperament
aggressive
Reef safe
no

Care

Tank and decor: at 290 cm adult length this shark outgrows home aquaria and is for public-aquarium-sized systems. The list quotes a minimum of 3150 US gallons (about 11920 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 richly patterned carpet shark. The list says it is the most common wobbegong in the North American trade but grows far too large for most home aquaria (290 cm) and eats other elasmobranchs. 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. Wobbegongs are ambush predators that will eat any fish or crustacean they can swallow whole, and the larger species also eat other sharks and rays. Keep alone or only with fish far too big to swallow.

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

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