Description

Epaulette Shark For Sale

Epaulette Shark, the Epaulette Shark is a slender species that has a large black ocellus (eye-like spot with a marginal ring) above the pectoral fin. It is a bottom-dwelling species which lives primarily in warm, shallow waters. The species has a oronasal groove which connects the mouth to with the nostrils, small triangular teeth, and short nasal barbels.

The Epaulette Shark is a slender species that has a large black ocellus (eye-like spot with a marginal ring) above the pectoral fin and widely spaced black spots on the body. It has two similar sized dorsal fins and an anal fin positioned just anterior to the tail.

The Epaulette Shark is a member of the fish family Hemiscylliidae, collectively called the Longtail Carpet Sharks. In Australia, the family contains three species, the Epaulette Shark, the Speckled Carpet Shark, Hemiscyllium trispeculare and the Grey Carpet Shark, Chiloscyllium punctatum. An easy way to tell the difference between the Epaulette and Speckled Carpet Shark is the presence of small dark spots immediately behind the ocellus of the Speckled Carpet Shark. These spots are absent in the Epaulette Shark.

Distribution of Epaulette Shark

In Australia, the Epaulette Shark occurs from Shark Bay, Western Australia around the northern coastline of the continent and south on the east coast to at least Newcastle, and possibly to Sydney, New South Wales.

The Epaulette Shark is considered one of the best sharks for the home aquarium because of it’s smaller size compared to many other sharks. They prefer reefs and tide pools and are frequently found perching near Staghorn acropora. The Epaulette shark prefers soft sandy bottoms in which to dig in and will require rock structure to be secure. Rockwork that has caves and ledges will prove to be favorite spots for the Epaulette shark.

Breeding behaviors

Males mature at around 60 cm in length. The Epaulette Shark is an oviparous (lays eggs) species. The eggs are about 10 cm long and 4 cm wide. They hatch after about 130 days. Young are around 15 cm in length when they hatch.

Sharks should not be exposed to copper based medications as this will cause illness. Like all sharks, this one has the possibility of inflicting a very painful bite, especially when provoked. Care should be taken when cleaning the display tank and feeding. Sharks tend to act aggressively toward other fish, particularly smaller ones. Be sure to house with larger, aggressive species.

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