WHATSTHATFISH
Sharks & rays

California Hornshark

Heterodontus francisci

Also known as: Bullhead Shark, Blunthead Shark, Horn Shark, Black-spotted Horn Shark., Black-spotted Horn Shark

LCLeast ConcernIUCN Red List, 2025
Handle with careLook, don't touch
Adult
@fishx6 · Cherbourg Aquarium, France · September 20081 / 1
01

Overview

Found singly or in schools, during the day hiding in the shadows and blending in over shallow waters, in kelp beds, rock and sandy bottoms, in caves and under ledges,,dispersing at night to hunt for food over the reef. The eggs of these sharks are a distinctive spiral shape.
They feed nocturnally on fish and benthic invertebrates.

These sharks have no Anal Fin but have spines on the leading edge of the two Dorsal Fins.
California Hornsharks are not considered dangerous unless threatened and then can give a painful bite!

02

How to identify

COLOURS
Pattern
black spot

Tap any trait to see other fish that share it.

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Habitat & where to find it

  • Range · Eastern Pacific
  • Country only · 1
LIVES IN

Found singly or in schools, during the day hiding in the shadows and blending in over shallow waters, in kelp beds, rock and sandy bottoms, in caves and under ledges,,dispersing at night to hunt for food over the reef.

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Adult photos 1

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Discussion

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    ALL STAGES
    FOR THE MARINE-BIOLOGY CURIOUS

    Deep dive

    Taxonomy

    1. kingdomAnimalia
    2. phylumChordata
    3. classElasmobranchii
    4. orderHeterodontiformes
    5. familyHeterodontidae
    6. genusHeterodontus
    7. speciesHeterodontus francisci (Girard, 1855)

    SourcesWoRMSFishBase

    06

    More in the family

    Heterodontiformes