Varied Catshark

Scientific Name: Parascyllium variolatum

Description: A long slender shark, growing to about 90cm, with a grey body speckled with small white spots and a distinctive broad black collar behind the head.

These mostly nocturnal sharks are often seen in the Marine Sanctuary during daylight hours moving beneath and between patches of kelp on the reefs. They feed on small crustaceans and molluscs hidden in sand and crevices.

Catsharks sharks lay shiny brown capsule egg cases with two elongated horns amongst the kelp, which are attached by strong threads until the young hatch.

Type: Shark
Where to find: Subtidal Reefs
Size: 90cm