Zebra shark (Stegostoma fasciatum) care guide

Group
Marine fish
Family
Stegostomatidae (zebra sharks)
Water
saltwater
Maximum size
354 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 354 cm adult length this shark outgrows home aquaria and is for public-aquarium-sized systems. The list quotes a minimum of 6200 US gallons (about 23470 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: juveniles are dark with pale stripes, while adults are pale with black spots and a very long tail. The list says juveniles of 20–36 cm are sometimes sold and need at least 100 US gallons (about 380 litres) at that stage, but adults reach 354 cm and need a public-aquarium-sized system. It is often called the leopard shark, which is a different species (Triakis semifasciata). 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 feeds on shellfish, crustaceans and small fish. Only for public aquaria.

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

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