Faana Miyaru
Classification
Max Size
Orectolobiformes
Distribution
Indo-West Pacific
Distinctive Characters
Long caudal fin, about half the total length. Small barbells on either side of small mouth. First dorsal set well back and much larger than second. Prominent ridges on sides of body.
Color
Adults pale brown with dark spots. Juveniles dark brown with vertical yellow stripes
Habitat & Biology
Found on coral reefs. A rather sluggish shark. Strictly nocturnal; feeds on molluscs, sea snakes, crustaceans and fish. Oviparous
Remarks
Stegostoma fasciatum is not a very common shark in Maldives, but is occasionally seen resting on the bottom by divers. This shark is unaggressive when approached under water. Several individuals were taken by longline from R.V. “Farumas” (Anderson and Ahmed, 1993, p.55). Previously recorded as S. varium in the Catalogue of Fishes of the Maldives Vol. 3, page 342.