This family consists of 11 species, separated in 2 genera. All members have an elongated, slightly depressed or cylindrical body. Short barbels are present. The mouth is small, transverse and located in front of the eyes. The spiracles are large and below their eyes. There are no spines in front of the two dorsal fins. The origin of the first dorsal fin is above or behind the pelvic fins. The origin of the second dorsal fin is well ahead of the anal fin's origin. Some of them have a well developed color pattern with dark sattles, or dark and light spots, while others are plain colored. Bamboo sharks are common inshore sharks of the continental waters of the tropical western Pacific. They prefer rocky areas or coral reefs close to shore and sometimes even invade tide pools where the water is barely sufficient to cover them. They feed on small fishes and invertebrates. Their reproduction style is not fully examined yet, however at least some of them are lay eggs (oviparity).