pacific nurse shark
Ginglymostoma unami
Sturdy-bodied shark endemic to the eastern Pacific, from Baja California to Peru, endangered. It does not occur in Brazil.
Also called: tubarão-lixa-do-Pacífico, tiburón nodriza, tiburón gata
- maximum
- 207 cm
who is the pacific nurse shark
The Pacific nurse shark is a shark of the family Ginglymostomatidae, with a sturdy body, endemic to the eastern Pacific, from Mexico to Peru. It reaches 207 cm. It is benthopelagic and lives near the bottom in tropical waters. It is a relative of the Atlantic nurse shark (Ginglymostoma cirratum) and is told apart from it by the keels on the dermal denticles, the shape of the teeth and the position of the first dorsal fin relative to the pelvic fins. The species is endangered and, as it is endemic to the eastern Pacific, it has no records in Brazil.
Essential profile. Identification, where it occurs and rules, with data from FishBase and the cited regulations. Season, time of day, technique and bait are added once we have a good source for the pacific nurse shark.
identification
Sturdy-bodied shark, similar to the nurse shark (Ginglymostoma cirratum). Like nurse sharks, it has two dorsal fins of similar size, set well back on the body, and short barbels near the nostrils. It differs by the keels on the dermal denticles, the shape of the teeth and the position of the first dorsal fin relative to the pelvic fins. It lives from Baja California to Peru.
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Each card shows the day's index (0 to 100) and, below it, a strip with the index for each hour, from 0h to 23h. from poor to excellent.
Essential profile: the index uses a general fish model (weather, sun, moon and tide), without a season or time of day specific to this species.
where found
Eastern Pacific, from Baja California, in Mexico, to Peru, endemic to this area. It does not occur in Brazil.
Habitat: Sea floor in tropical waters of the eastern Pacific, near the bottom.
rules for the pacific nurse shark
Summary of the regulations we found, with the source for each. Rules change; before keeping or transporting fish, check with the state environmental agency.
We found no species-specific rule beyond the region's general rules.
catch and release
catch and release Releasing the fish alive, quickly and with a wet hand. During a closed season it isn't always allowed: what the regulation says applies.
Threatened species, with a sturdy body and sharp teeth: hold it with care, away from the mouth, and release it with minimal handling.
how much it weighs without taking it out of the water
Length-weight relationship W = a·Lb (a = 0.01, b = 3.04; FishBase (relação peso-comprimento bayesiana, estimativa)). It's an average: a fat or lean fish can vary by 10% to 20%.
estimated weight
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sources and references
Essential profile: size, length-weight, depth, countries and conservation come from FishBase and the cited regulations, and the texts were written from those sources. Season, time of day, sensitivities, technique and baits and lures are not included yet, because we did not find a good source for this species.
- scientific FishBase: Ginglymostoma unami (ficha da espécie)Size, length-weight, depth, habitat, distribution, biology, and IUCN status. Page checked on Oct 13, 2026.
- scientific FishBase: nomes populares de Ginglymostoma unamiNames by country and language.