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Orange spotted catshrak (Asymbolus rubiginosus) — Scyliorhinidae

Orange spotted catshrak

Asymbolus rubiginosus
LC · Least Concern

The Orange spotted catshrak (Asymbolus rubiginosus) is a saltwater fish of the family Scyliorhinidae that grows up to 39 cm.

Length
39.3 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
25.0–540.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Range
Southern Australia
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The orange-spotted catshark is a small catshark from the waters around southern Australia. The species grows to about 39 cm and has a slender, red-brown body densely covered with fine orange and white spots. As a bottom-dweller it lives on sand and reef bottoms of the continental shelf and slope, between about 25 and 540 metres, and hunts small crustaceans, molluscs and fish at night. It lays horny egg capsules. The shark is harmless to humans. The IUCN assesses the species as Least Concern (LC).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Orange spotted catshrak?

The Orange spotted catshrak has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly red-orange and shows a spots pattern. Fine orange and white spots; bottom-dwelling oviparous catshark

Where does the Orange spotted catshrak live?

The Orange spotted catshrak lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around open water. Southern Australia

How big does the Orange spotted catshrak get?

The Orange spotted catshrak grows to a maximum of about 39 cm.

Is the Orange spotted catshrak dangerous to humans?

No, the Orange spotted catshrak 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 Orange spotted catshrak edible?

The Orange spotted catshrak is not usually eaten.

More photos

Orange spotted catshrak (Asymbolus rubiginosus) — Scyliorhinidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) ullie, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Orange spotted catshrak (Asymbolus rubiginosus) — Scyliorhinidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) norathexplorer, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Orange spotted catshrak (Asymbolus rubiginosus) — Scyliorhinidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Ken Graham, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Orange spotted catshrak (Asymbolus rubiginosus) — Scyliorhinidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) cutleria88, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Orange spotted catshrak verified
Scientific name
Asymbolus rubiginosus
Family
Scyliorhinidae
Other names
Rusty catshark; Rustyspotted catshark; Spotted catshark verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
39.3 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Crescent (lunate) inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Min depth (m)
25.0 verified
Max depth (m)
540.0 verified
Natural range
Southern Australia verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small crustaceans, molluscs and small fishes inferred
Social behaviour
Solitary sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Nocturnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced
Seasonality
Bottom-dwelling catshark; present year-round. sourced
Special features
Fine orange and white spots; bottom-dwelling oviparous catshark sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Angling with lures or (dead/live) baitfish by trolling, casting or drift fishing in open water. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
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 Asymbolus

More from the family Scyliorhinidae

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