Epaulette Shark

Hemiscyllium ocellatum

Also known as: Blind Shark, Carpet Shark, Cat Shark, Itar Shark, Longtail Carpet Shark, Long-tailed Carpet Shark, Ocellated Epaulette Shark, Walking Shark

ALSO KNOWN AS

Blind Shark
Carpet Shark
Cat Shark
Itar Shark
Longtail Carpet Shark
Long-tailed Carpet Shark
Ocellated Epaulette Shark
Walking Shark

LCLeast ConcernIUCN Red List, 2015

Add a photo

Epaulette Shark adult, photographed at Bournemouth Aquarium, United Kingdom — @fishx6 · Bournemouth Aquarium, United Kingdom · August 20091 / 2

Overview

Found singly, during the day resting on rock, and sandy bottoms, in tide-pools, dispersing at night to forage for food in the open, over shallow waters of estuaries, coral and rocky reefs.
They feed on benthic crustaceans and small fish.

Epaulette Sharks have barbels to sift through the sand for invertebrates, These sharks are quite common and harmless.

How to identify

COLOURS

Pattern: blotches ocellated spot spots
Head & Mouth: barbels
Behaviour: bottom dwelling nocturnal solitary

Tap any trait to see other fish that share it.

Habitat & where to find it

Range · Western Pacific
Country only · 2

LIVES IN

Found singly, during the day resting on rock, and sandy bottoms, in tide-pools, dispersing at night to forage for food in the open, over shallow waters of estuaries, coral and rocky reefs.

RANGE