Parascyllium variolatum

Parascylliidae
Varied Catshark
  • Parascyllium variolatum, Melbourne, VIC, Photo: Rick Stuart-Smith
    Parascyllium variolatum, Melbourne, VIC, Photo: Rick Stuart-Smith
  • Parascyllium variolatum, Melbourne, VIC, Photo: Rick Stuart-Smith
    Parascyllium variolatum, Melbourne, VIC, Photo: Rick Stuart-Smith
Distribution
Temperate Australasia
Description
Sinuous snake-like appearance, the pattern of large white spots on a dark brown background and the characteristic black collar punctuated by small white spots that lies just behind the head. This catshark is relatively common within its range but is not often sighted by divers because it remains concealed among kelp and in crevices during the day.
Information
  • Max Size: 91 cm
  • Sea Temperature Range: 12.5-22.9°C
  • Depth: 3-180m
  • Habitat: Rocky Reef
Rarity
  • IUCN Threat Status: Least Concern
  • Occurrence: Infrequent (9% 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
Report an Error
Further Information:
Copyright:
Copyright to the photographs on this site belongs solely to the credited photographers. Any requests for usage can be directed to the photographer through [email protected].

Please use this form only for a single type of error. If you see multiple errors on the page for this species, please report these in separate forms by clicking on this button again after submitting this form


Thank you for highlighting this error. We appreciate your assistance in maintaining high quality control standards

Copyright Reef Life Survey 2019
Made by Forte Web Design
Forte Web Design support RLS
Supported by The Ian Potter Foundation