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Nurse Shark

Also known as

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About the Nurse Shark

The Nurse Shark is a distinctive bottom-dweller, easily recognized by its flattened head, small mouth located far forward on the underside, and two prominent barbels hanging from its snout. Their bodies are typically yellowish-brown to grayish-brown, often appearing smooth despite having tiny dermal denticles. These sharks are generally sluggish and docile, often seen resting motionless on the seafloor during the day.

Source: FishBase & iNaturalist

Habitat

These robust sharks prefer shallow, warm, tropical and subtropical waters, frequently found lurking in coral reefs, rocky areas, mangroves, and seagrass beds. They are typically found close to the bottom, often in depths less than 20 feet.

Distribution

A cosmopolitan species, Nurse Sharks are found in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans, predominantly in tropical and subtropical regions. Their range extends from the western Atlantic (Rhode Island to Brazil) to the eastern Atlantic (West Africa) and across the Indo-Pacific.

Behaviour

Nurse Sharks are primarily nocturnal, spending their days resting in crevices or under ledges. They are powerful suction feeders, using their small mouths to vacuum up small invertebrates like crabs, lobsters, and octopuses, as well as small fish. Though generally docile, they can deliver a powerful bite if provoked, making caution essential when handling them. Their slow, deliberate movements define their bottom-dwelling lifestyle.

Edibility

Nurse Sharks are not typically targeted for food, and their meat is generally not considered palatable by most anglers. Many regions also have regulations prohibiting their harvest.

Lure suggestion

Targeting Nurse Sharks typically involves strong bottom fishing gear. Use heavy-duty tackle with wire leaders and circle hooks, baited with fresh cut bait such as squid, mackerel, or crab, fished directly on the seafloor. They are often caught incidentally while targeting other species, but can provide a strong, albeit sluggish, fight once hooked. Always exercise extreme caution when dehooking due to their powerful jaws.