Port Jackson shark (Heterodontus portusjacksoni)

Scientific name: Heterodontus portusjacksoni Meyer, 1793

Port Jackson shark (Heterodontus portusjacksoni)

The Port Jackson shark (Heterodontus portusjacksoni) is a marine fish of the family Heterodontidae.

Biology

A common shark of the continental shelves, from close inshore at the intertidal zone to 275 m. Segregates by sex and maturity stage. Nocturnal, hides in caves and rocky gullies during the day. Feeds on benthic invertebrates, primarily echinoderms. Oviparous. Eggs with spiral flanges but lack tendrils. Undergoes yearly migrations to spawning sites during breeding season. Considered harmless to people, but can deliver a painful nip when provoked.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Heterodontus portusjacksoni
Family
Heterodontidae (Bullhead / horn / Port Jackson sharks)
Order
Heterodontiformes (Bullhead and Horn sharks)
Class
Elasmobranchii (Sharks and Rays)
Maximum length
165
Common length
137
Depth range
0–275 m (0–902 ft)
Environment
Marine; demersal; oceanodromous; depth range 0 - 275 m
Climate
Subtropical
Distribution
Western Pacific: southern Australia (including Western Australia) and one record from New Zealand. Heterodontus bona-spei from South Africa probably refers to this species.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Least Concern (LC)
Threat to humans
Traumatogenic
Uses
Fisheries: minor commercial; aquarium: public aquariums
Resilience
Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (tm=8-10; Fec=10)

More other marine fish

See all other marine fish

Sources

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

Last updated