Home · Brachaeluridae · Colclough's shark
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
Range
Oceania: Australia
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Want the complete picture on the Colclough's shark?

Get the app

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. Oceania: Australia

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. 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.

Is the Colclough's shark edible?

Yes, the Colclough's shark is commonly eaten.

More photos

Colclough's shark (Brachaelurus colcloughi) — Brachaeluridae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Nigel Marsh, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Colclough's shark (Brachaelurus colcloughi) — Brachaeluridae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Nigel Marsh, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Colclough's shark (Brachaelurus colcloughi) — Brachaeluridae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Ken Graham, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Colclough's shark (Brachaelurus colcloughi) — Brachaeluridae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Keith Morris, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

Want the complete picture on the Colclough's shark?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Colclough's shark is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →

All data

Identification

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; Blue-gray carpet shark; Southern blind 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
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

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Fishing with natural bait (fish, shrimp, worm) or lures close to reef and rock structures. inferred
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

Same genus Brachaelurus

More from the family Brachaeluridae

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Colclough's shark?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Colclough's shark is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →
Is this the Colclough's shark? Get the app