Heterodontus galeatus
Crested Hornshark | Crested Bull Shark | Crested Bullhead Shark | Crested Shark
Heterodontus galeatus, Jervis Bay, NSW, Photo: Graham Edgar
Heterodontus galeatus, Port Stephens, NSW, Photo: Tom Davis
Heterodontus galeatus, Egg cases. Coffs Harbour, NSW, Photo: Ian Shaw
Heterodontus galeatus, Sydney, NSW, Photo: Rick Stuart-Smith
Heterodontus galeatus, Ulladulla, NSW, Photo: Andrew Green
Heterodontus galeatus, Montague Is, NSW, Photo: Andrew Green
Similar Species
Distribution
Temperate Australasia
Description
Similar to the Port Jackson Shark (Heterodontus portusjacksoni) of southern Australian waters, but possessing higher crests above the eyes, broad dark bars rather than oblique lines on side. Both species have spirally flanged eggs, which are twisted into reef crevices, with young developing over a period of a year. Forage on molluscs and other bottom-dwelling invertebrates at night, returning to particular caves and ledges during day. Not dangerous but should be handled with caution because of a venomous barb in front of each dorsal fin.
Information
Max Size: 152 cm
Sea Temperature Range: 15.3-24.6°C
Depth: 1-90m
Habitat Generalization Index: N/A
Also referred to as the SGI (Species Generalisation Index), this describes the habitat niche breadth of the species. Species with values less than 15 are found in a relatively narrow range of reef habitat types (specialists), while those over 25 may be found on most hard substrates within their range (generalists). Learn more here.
Conservation and Rarity
IUCN Status: Least Concern
Occurrence: Frequent (15.1% 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