Speckled Carpet Shark

About the Speckled Carpet Shark

Speckled Carpetsharks are widely dispersed around Australia and possibly Indonesia. They reside in shallow tropical waters and along coasts and on coral reefs of up to 50 m deep.  

Biology and Behaviour:

Speckled carpetshark is a small species that grow up to 79 cm in length.   

They have many brown spots covering their body including their snout, a large black ocellus rimmed posteriorly by several dark blotches above each pectoral fin, a short borne diagonal bar behind the spiracle, and slightly darker bands all along its body.

They feed on benthic invertebrates (organisms that live at the bottom of seabeds on rocks, corals and sediments).   

Reproduction and Lifespan:

There is little known about Speckled carpet sharks. Similar to other carpet sharks, female speckled carpet sharks are oviparous where the females lay their eggs, and males mature around the length of 53 cm.

Conservation and Tourism

The IUCN lists Speckled Carpet Sharks as least concern because of its wide range and lack of major threats. They are protected in parts of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, Queensland and Ningaloo Marine Park, Western Australia. However, there are no conservation methods in place for this species.

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Speckled Carpet Shark Gallery