Nurse Shark
Ginglymostoma cirratum
Also called nurse, carpet shark
A slow-moving, bottom-dwelling shark with distinctive barbels near the mouth and a rounded tail fin. Known for their docile nature and tendency to rest on sandy bottoms during the day.
Nurse Shark at a glance
- Scientific name
- Ginglymostoma cirratum
- Typical size
- 60-108 inches
- IGFA world record
- 263 lbs 8 oz
- State record
- 263 lbs 8 oz
- Water
- Saltwater
- Habitat
- Reef
- Rarity in the Fishdex™
- Uncommon
Habitat
Reefs, mangroves, and sandy flats. Docile bottom-dwelling shark. Nocturnal feeder.
Catch one and it is yours
Log a nurse shark through the Cobia Camera and this entry fills in with your photo, your personal best, and the exact conditions on the day. The app also carries the slot and season rules for wherever you are standing.
How the Fishdex™ worksNurse Shark questions people ask
Nurse Shark is Ginglymostoma cirratum. Anglers also call it nurse, carpet shark.
A typical nurse shark runs 60-108 inches. The IGFA all tackle world record stands at 263 lbs 8 oz. Cobia records the length and weight of every nurse shark you log and keeps your personal best on its Fishdex entry.
Reefs, mangroves, and sandy flats. Docile bottom-dwelling shark. Nocturnal feeder. It is a salt water species, filed under reef in the Fishdex.
The IGFA all tackle world record nurse shark weighed 263 lbs 8 oz.
Yes. Log one through the Cobia Camera and this entry fills in with your own photo, your personal best, and the conditions on the day you caught it. The app also carries the slot limits and season dates for wherever you are standing. It is free.
Tomorrow morning starts tonight
Set your home water, pick a drive radius, and wake up to a plan.
Android coming soon
iPhone, iOS 17 or later. Setup takes about a minute.