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Sharks & rays

Spotted Wobbegong

Orectolobus maculatus

Also known as: Common Carpet Shark, Common Catshark, Spotted Wobbegong Shark, Tassel Shark, Wobbegong

LCLeast ConcernIUCN Red List, 2015
Handle with careLook, don't touch
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Adult
@greatwhite · Sydney Aquarium, Australia · April 20121 / 7
01

Overview

Found singly or in shivers, over shallow intertidal areas down to the continental shelf. Commonly found resting under piers and over sand bottoms of coral and rocky reefs.
They feed on fish and benthic invertebrates.
Eastern Indian Ocean - Australia

These beautiful sharks are well camouflaged and are considered dangerous especially if they are with their juvenile offspring and have been known to bite!

02

How to identify

COLOURS
Pattern
blotchesspots
Body shape
tassels
Behaviour
bottom dwellingcamouflagedloose groupssolitary

Tap any trait to see other fish that share it.

03

Habitat & where to find it

  • Range · Eastern Indian Ocean
  • Exact location · 1
  • Country only · 6
LIVES IN

Found singly or in shivers, over shallow intertidal areas down to the continental shelf.

RANGE
04

Adult photos 7

05

Discussion

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    ALL STAGES
    FOR THE MARINE-BIOLOGY CURIOUS

    Deep dive

    Taxonomy

    1. kingdomAnimalia
    2. phylumChordata
    3. classElasmobranchii
    4. orderOrectolobiformes
    5. familyOrectolobidae
    6. genusOrectolobus
    7. speciesOrectolobus maculatus (Bonnaterre, 1788)

    SourcesWoRMSFishBase

    06

    More in the family

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