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Colclough's shark (Brachaelurus colcloughi) — Brachaeluridae

Colclough's shark

Brachaelurus colcloughi

The Colclough's shark (Brachaelurus colcloughi) is a saltwater fish of the family Brachaeluridae that grows up to 76 cm.

Length
76 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
4.0–217.0 m
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

Colclough's shark is a small bottom shark (Brachaeluridae) from coastal waters of eastern Australia. The species grows to about 75 cm and has a slender, grey-brown body with a blunt snout, barbels and small eyes that it covers with a skin fold when disturbed. As a nocturnal bottom-dweller it rests by day in crevices and caves and hunts small fish, crustaceans and molluscs by night. This shy shark is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Colclough's shark?

The Colclough's shark has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Colclough's shark live?

The Colclough's shark lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Colclough's shark get?

The Colclough's shark grows to a maximum of about 76 cm.

Is the Colclough's shark dangerous to humans?

No, the Colclough's shark is harmless to humans.

Is the Colclough's shark edible?

Yes, the Colclough's shark is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Colcloughs haai sourced
English name
Colclough's shark sourced
Scientific name
Brachaelurus colcloughi
Family
Brachaeluridae
Other names
Bluegray carpetshark; Bluegrey carpetshark; Blue-grey cat shark; Bluegrey shark; Colcloughs shark verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
4.0 verified
Max depth (m)
217.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Vissen met natuurlijk aas (vis, garnaal, worm) of kunstaas dicht bij rif- en rotsstructuren. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Brachaelurus

More from the family Brachaeluridae

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