Origin
Native to the tropical and subtropical western Atlantic, from Rhode Island down to Brazil, including the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea.

Visual & Functional Appeal
Features a broad, rounded head with sensory barbels and small eyes. Uniformly brown to yellowish, it has a smooth texture and powerful body shape. Its slow, graceful movement adds drama and depth in large public displays.

Purpose
Used as a centerpiece species in public aquariums or large-scale marine systems. Encourages education around shark conservation and marine ecosystems.

Importance
Not suitable for private aquarists. In professional facilities, it serves as a keystone predator and behavioral anchor, helping maintain naturalistic displays and showcasing benthic shark behavior.

Included Resources
Requires custom-built tanks (minimum 10,000+ gallons), round or oval pools with smooth edges, extremely strong mechanical and biological filtration, and a sandy substrate. Strong oxygenation and 24/7 monitoring are critical.

Best Use Cases
Exclusively for public aquariums, marine research facilities, or conservation-focused oceanariums. Can be kept in shallow marine lagoons or specialized reef-free zones with professional support.

Conservation Context
Population declining due to habitat degradation, unregulated fishing, and ecotourism disturbance. Although not currently endangered, local declines highlight the importance of sustainable marine management.

Ideal Aquatic Animals
• Large stingrays (in professional settings)
• Groupers or snappers (if similarly sized)
• Other large benthic sharks (with space)
• Avoid reef fish, inverts, or small tankmates

Region (A)
• Latitude: 18.4762° N
• Longitude: -66.1189° W
(San Juan, Puerto Rico – coral reef margins and sandy bottoms)

Region (B)
• Latitude: 9.7489° N
• Longitude: -83.7534° W
(Caribbean coast of Costa Rica – nearshore seagrass beds and mangroves)