Ornate wobbegong (Orectolobus ornatus)

Scientific name: Orectolobus ornatus De Vis, 1883

Ornate wobbegong (Orectolobus ornatus)

The Ornate wobbegong (Orectolobus ornatus) is a marine fish of the family Orectolobidae. Native range: Western Pacific, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and Australia (including southern Australia and Western Australia).

Biology

A common bottom shark of inshore continental waters, on algal-covered rocky areas and coral reefs. Nocturnal, resting on the bottom during the day and prowling on its reef habitat at night. Presumably feeding on bottom invertebrates and fishes but diet unrecorded. Ovoviviparous. Attacks waders and fishers in tide pools. Interest to fisheries limited; its skin very tough and attractively patterned and utilized for leather.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Orectolobus ornatus
Family
Orectolobidae (Carpet or nurse sharks)
Order
Orectolobiformes (Carpet sharks)
Class
Elasmobranchii (Sharks and Rays)
Maximum length
290
Depth range
0–100 m (0–328 ft)
Environment
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 0 - 100 m
Climate
Tropical
Distribution
Western Pacific: Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and Australia (including southern Australia and Western Australia).
Conservation status (IUCN)
Near Threatened (NT)
Threat to humans
Traumatogenic
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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