Fish Active at night

Indonesian Bamboo Shark

Chiloscyllium hasseltii

iNaturalist Wikipedia

A master of the nocturnal reef, the Indonesian Bamboo Shark is famous for 'walking' across the seafloor on its fins. This small, slender shark is a hidden gem of Southeast Asian coastal waters.

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Quick Identification

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Size

45–60 cm (18–24 inches) in length; weight typically under 2 kg (4.4 lbs)

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Colors

Tan to light brown base color; juveniles display bold dark transverse bands and spots which fade into a more uniform or faintly mottled brown in adults

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Key Features

Slender, cylindrical body shape
Two dorsal fins of nearly equal size located far back on the body
Rounded snout with small barbels near the mouth
Thick, muscular pectoral and pelvic fins used for 'walking'

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern Active at night

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Peak hours 8 PM - 3 AM

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Season Year-round

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Diet A specialized benthic feeder, this shark consumes small crustaceans, mollusks, and occasionally small bony fish found on the ocean floor.

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Habitat Inshore coastal waters, specifically coral reefs, seagrass meadows, and sandy-bottomed lagoons.

public Geographic range

Where Does the Indonesian Bamboo Shark Live?

The Indonesian Bamboo Shark is a native specialist of the tropical Indo-Pacific region. Its core range is centered around the vast archipelagos of Indonesia and Malaysia, extending northward into the Gulf of Thailand and the coastal waters of Vietnam. While predominantly found in these Southeast Asian hotspots, its distribution also touches the fringes of the eastern Indian Ocean near Myanmar.

Basemap © OpenStreetMap contributors

6 Countries

1.2M km² Range

Near Threatened Conservation

ID Indonesia MY Malaysia TH Thailand Vietnam Myanmar Singapore

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iNaturalist / Verified observation data

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Behavior

The Indonesian Bamboo Shark is a secretive, bottom-dwelling species known for its unique method of locomotion. Rather than swimming constantly like many open-ocean sharks, this species uses its sturdy pectoral and pelvic fins to 'walk' across the seabed and navigate through tight crevices in coral reefs. This adaptation allows them to hunt effectively in shallow, complex environments where larger predators cannot reach.

Primarily nocturnal, these sharks spend their daylight hours tucked away under table corals, inside reef caves, or buried in seagrass beds. They are generally solitary and pose no threat to humans, often remaining completely still when approached by divers or snorkelers. Their docile nature and small size make them a favorite for underwater photographers, though they are quite shy and will retreat if they feel cornered.

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Camera Tips

Capturing an Indonesian Bamboo Shark on camera requires an underwater setup, specifically targeting shallow reef flats or tide pools during the night. For coastal residents with a 'marine backyard,' the best approach is to mount a waterproof camera to a weighted base plate or a low-profile tripod. Position the lens just a few inches off the substrate, facing towards the mouth of a small reef crevice or a patch of sandy clearing near seagrass, as these are the shark's primary hunting corridors.

Since these sharks are strictly nocturnal, artificial lighting is essential. However, bright white light can startle them and cause them to flee. Use a camera with a high ISO capability or, better yet, employ a red-light filter on your underwater torch. Sharks cannot see the red spectrum well, allowing you to capture natural foraging behavior without disturbing the animal. Set your camera to a wide-angle focal length to ensure you capture the shark's full, slender profile as it 'walks' by.

Timing is critical; the hours immediately following sunset are when these sharks emerge from their daytime hiding spots. If you are using an AI-powered underwater housing, set the motion trigger sensitivity to high, as their 'walking' motion is much slower and more deliberate than the darting movement of reef fish. Avoid placing bait directly in front of the camera, as this often attracts larger scavenger fish that may knock over your equipment; instead, rely on the natural traffic of the reef.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Indonesian Bamboo Shark.

Grey Bamboo Shark

Lacks the dark spots often found on Hasselt's and has a more uniformly greyish-brown appearance.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Indonesian Bamboo Sharks are strictly nocturnal. They are most active during the middle of the night, typically between 8 PM and 3 AM, when they emerge from reef crevices to hunt for crustaceans.

The best way to 'attract' them is to place your camera near their natural habitat, such as the edge of a coral reef or a seagrass bed. Using red lights instead of bright white lights will help you observe them without scaring them away.

They are carnivorous bottom-feeders. Their diet consists mainly of small crabs, shrimp, snails, and small fish that live in the sand or among the coral rubble.

They are only found in 'marine' backyards. If you live along the coast in Thailand, Indonesia, or Malaysia, they may be present in the shallow waters just off your local beach or pier.

The Indonesian Bamboo Shark (*C. hasseltii*) is best identified by its rounded snout and the specific fading pattern of its bands. Unlike the Brownbanded Bamboo Shark, adults are often more uniform in color and lack the extremely long anal fin seen in some other relatives.

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