Home · Scyliorhinidae · Blackspotted catshark
Blackspotted catshark (Aulohalaelurus labiosus) — Scyliorhinidae

Blackspotted catshark

Aulohalaelurus labiosus

The Blackspotted catshark (Aulohalaelurus labiosus) is a saltwater fish of the family Scyliorhinidae that grows up to 67 cm.

Length
67 cm
Water
Saltwater
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: Australia

Want the complete picture on the Blackspotted catshark?

Get the app

Description

The Blackspotted catshark is a small catshark (Scyliorhinidae) from coastal waters of southwestern Australia. The species grows to about 67 cm and has a slender, brown body with numerous black spots and cat-like eyes. As a nocturnal bottom-dweller it rests by day among rocks and on sand bottoms and hunts small fish, crustaceans and molluscs by night. It lays eggs in horny capsules. This small shark is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Blackspotted catshark?

The Blackspotted catshark has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Blackspotted catshark live?

The Blackspotted catshark lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Oceania: Australia

How big does the Blackspotted catshark get?

The Blackspotted catshark grows to a maximum of about 67 cm.

Is the Blackspotted catshark dangerous to humans?

No, the Blackspotted catshark is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

More photos

Blackspotted catshark (Aulohalaelurus labiosus) — Scyliorhinidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) J. Martin Crossley, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA))
Blackspotted catshark (Aulohalaelurus labiosus) — Scyliorhinidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) J. Martin Crossley, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA))
Blackspotted catshark (Aulohalaelurus labiosus) — Scyliorhinidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) J. Martin Crossley, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA))
Blackspotted catshark (Aulohalaelurus labiosus) — Scyliorhinidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) AmilaDG, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

Want the complete picture on the Blackspotted catshark?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Blackspotted catshark is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →

All data

Identification

English name
Blackspotted catshark sourced
Scientific name
Aulohalaelurus labiosus
Family
Scyliorhinidae
Other names
Australian blackspotted catshark; Black-spotted cat shark; Blackspotted catshark; Black-spotted catshark; Australian blackspot catshark verified

Appearance

Size class
Large
Max length (cm)
67 sourced
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
Oceania: Australia sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

More from the family Scyliorhinidae

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Blackspotted catshark?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Blackspotted catshark is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →
Is this the Blackspotted catshark? Get the app