Japanese wobbegong (Orectolobus japonicus) fish species and Japanese wobbegong information

Scientific Name
Orectolobus japonicus

Common Name
Japanese wobbegong

Biology
A little-known bottom shark found inshore (Ref. 247); usually in sand or sandy mud bottoms (Ref. 11230); also on rocky and coral reefs (Ref. 43278). Nocturnal in habits (Ref. 247). Feeds on fish and presumably bottom invertebrates (Ref. 247), including lizardfishes, cutlassfish, horse mackerel and other jacks, goatfishes, groupers, tilefishes, sea robins, whiting, parrotfishes, sea bream, croakers, also skates, shark egg cases, cephalopods, and shrimp (Ref. 43278). Ovoviviparous (Ref. 43278, 50449), with up to 20 young in a litter (Ref. 247). Wobbegongs should be regarded as potentially dangerous because of its formidable dentition (Ref. 247, 13577). Used for human consumption (Ref. 247). Kept in aquaria in Japan and the United States (Ref. 43278).

Classification

Classified By

Regan, 1906

Class

Sharks and Rays (Elasmobranchii)

Order

Carpet sharks (Orectolobiformes)

Family

Carpet or nurse sharks (Orectolobidae)

Distribution

Region

Western Pacific

Distribution

Western Pacific: Japan and Korea to Viet Nam and the Philippines.

Range

43°N - 6°N, 103°E - 140°E

Environment

Climate

Tropical

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

Unknown °C

Depth From - meters

Unknown m

Depth To - meters

Unknown m

Zone

demersal

Environment

Marine; demersal

Trophic Level

3.82 s.e. 0.57 Based on food items.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

True

Occurs in Brackish water

False

Occurs in Fresh Water

False

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

100.0 cm

Common Length

Unknown cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.5012 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: minor commercial

Vulnerability

Moderate vulnerability (42 of 100)

Resilience

Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (Fec=20)

Threat To Humans

Traumatogenic (Ref. 247)

IUCN Red List Status

Data deficient (DD)

Japanese wobbegong (Orectolobus japonicus) fish species and information / pictures of Japanese wobbegong - Orectolobus japonicus

Japanese wobbegong (Orectolobus japonicus) fish species information

Classification

Distribution

Environment

Physical Size and Genetics

Human Uses and Population