Home · Hemiscylliidae · Indonesian speckled carpetshark
Indonesian speckled carpetshark (Hemiscyllium freycineti) — Hemiscylliidae

Indonesian speckled carpetshark

Hemiscyllium freycineti

The Indonesian speckled carpetshark (Hemiscyllium freycineti) is a saltwater fish of the family Hemiscylliidae that grows up to 72 cm.

Length
72 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–12.0 m
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The Indonesian speckled carpetshark is a bamboo shark (Hemiscylliidae) from shallow coastal waters of West Papua in the western Pacific. The species grows to about 72 cm and has a slender, yellow-brown body with barbels and a long, low tail. As a nocturnal, slow bottom-dweller it shelters by day in crevices of coral and rocky reefs and at night crawls over the reef with its pectoral fins in search of worms, crustaceans and small fish. It lays eggs in horny capsules. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Indonesian speckled carpetshark?

The Indonesian speckled carpetshark has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Indonesian speckled carpetshark live?

The Indonesian speckled carpetshark lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Indonesian speckled carpetshark get?

The Indonesian speckled carpetshark grows to a maximum of about 72 cm.

Is the Indonesian speckled carpetshark dangerous to humans?

No, the Indonesian speckled carpetshark is harmless to humans.

Is the Indonesian speckled carpetshark edible?

Yes, the Indonesian speckled carpetshark is commonly eaten.

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →

All data

Identification

Dutch name
Indonesische schouderhaai sourced
English name
Indonesian speckled carpetshark sourced
Scientific name
Hemiscyllium freycineti
Family
Hemiscylliidae
Other names
Indonesia speckled carpetshark; Indonesian speckled carpetshark verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
12.0 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 Hemiscyllium

More from the family Hemiscylliidae

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →