Australian Blackspotted Catshark

About the Australian Blackspotted Catshark

The Australian Blackspotted Catshark is a small species of catshark belonging to the family Scyliorhinidae. It is endemic to southwestern Australia in the Eastern Indian Ocean where it inhabits shallow coastal habitats and offshore reefs at depths up to 20 m (65.6 ft). Its known range extends from the Houtman Abrolhos to the Recherche Archipelago.

Biology and Reproduction

This species is nocturnal, but its biology is virtually unknown. It is considered oviparous, meaning females lay eggs, but information on its reproduction remains limited. The Australian Blackspotted Catshark reaches a maximum length of around 67 cm (26.4 in) in length. Males mature at approximately 54 cm (21.3 in), while females mature between 54 and 62 cm (21.3–24.4 in).

Conservation

Fishing interactions with this species appear to be limited, and it has little commercial value. However, it may occasionally be caught as bycatch in commercial and recreational fisheries. There are no conservation measures specifically targeting the Australian Blackspotted Catshark. The species is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN.

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