Tawny Nurse Shark Nebrius ferrugineus

The Tawny Nurse Shark, native to tropical reefs and coasts of the Indian and western Pacific oceans, looks similar to the Nurse Shark of the Atlantic/eastern Pacific but is in a separate genus (the only species in its genus). A large brown shark, it has a pale underside and prominent barbels on its mouth. Its fins are less rounded than the Nurse Shark and the pectoral fins are sickle-shaped.

It grows to a similar size: over 3 metres long. Mainly nocturnal, the Tawny Nurse Shark also spends much of the day resting, often grouped with others of its kind. It has a small underside mouth but a strong suction capability when capturing its prey, mainly fish. It is vulnerable from intentional fishing and unintentional bycatch.