Epaulette shark (Hemiscyllium ocellatum)

Scientific name: Hemiscyllium ocellatum Bonnaterre, 1788

Epaulette shark (Hemiscyllium ocellatum)

The Epaulette shark (Hemiscyllium ocellatum) is a marine fish of the family Hemiscylliidae. Native range: Western Pacific, New Guinea and northern Australia. Possibly occurring in Malaysia, Sumatra (Indonesia), and the Solomon Islands.

Biology

Commonly found in shallow water of coral reefs. Often in tide pools. Feeds mainly on benthic invertebrates. Oviparous. Squirms when captured but cannot readily escape. Survives well in aquariums. Has the ability to survive low oxygen conditions by switching of non-essential brain functions; apparently an adaption for hunting in tide-pools with low oxygen.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Hemiscyllium ocellatum
Family
Hemiscylliidae (Bamboo sharks)
Order
Orectolobiformes (Carpet sharks)
Class
Elasmobranchii (Sharks and Rays)
Maximum length
107
Depth range
0–50 m (0–164 ft)
Environment
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 0 - 50 m
Climate
Tropical
Distribution
Western Pacific: New Guinea and northern Australia. Possibly occurring in Malaysia, Sumatra (Indonesia), and the Solomon Islands.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Least Concern (LC)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Uses
Fisheries: of no interest
Resilience
Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (Fec assumed to be

Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

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