Cephaloscyllium laticeps, Hobart, TAS, Photo: Rick Stuart-Smith
Cephaloscyllium laticeps, Tasman Peninsula, TAS, Photo: Antonia Cooper
Cephaloscyllium laticeps, Beware Reef, Vic, Photo: Andrew Green
Distribution
Temperate Australasia
Description
Harmless slow-moving shark with an inflatable stomach, the reason why one of its common names is the ‘swell shark'. It has a strong sense of smell and is attracted to baits, often entering lobster pots—a surprising feat given that large animals almost completely fill the pot.
Information
Max Size: 150 cm
Sea Temperature Range: 10.3-20.3°C
Depth: 3-60m
Habitat: Rocky Reef, Soft sediment
Rarity
IUCN Threat Status: Least Concern
Occurrence: Common (25% of sites)
Occurrence describes how often the species is found on surveys within its distribution.
It is calculated as the % of reef sites surveyed by RLS divers across all the ecoregions in which the species has been observed
Abundance: Solitary (1 per transect)
Abundance is calculated as the average number of individuals recorded per RLS transect, where present.
Edit by: GJ Edgar. 2008. Australian Marine Life. New Holland, Sydney
Copyright to the photographs on this site belongs solely to the credited photographers. Any requests for usage can be directed to the photographer through
enquiries@reeflifesurvey.com.