Blind shark (Brachaelurus waddi)

General data

Main name: Blind shark
Climates: Tropical, Subtropical
Habitat: Saltwater
Native: Australia & Oceania
Distribution: Pacific Ocean, Indian ocean

Classification

Genus: Brachaelurus - Brachaelurus
Family: Brachaeluridae - Brachaeluridae
Order: Orectolobiformes - Carpet shark
Class: Elasmobranchii - Sharks and Rays
Superclass: Chondrichthyes - Cartilaginous fishes

Description

The blind shark is one of two species of carpet sharks in the family Brachaeluridae, along with the bluegrey carpetshark (Brachaelurus colcloughi). Found along the coast of eastern Australia, this nocturnal, bottom-dwelling species is common in rocky areas and seagrass beds from the intertidal zone to a depth of 140 m (460 ft). It often roams in tidal pools where it may be trapped by the receding tide, and can survive for an extended period out of water.

Taxonomy of Fishes

Osteichthyes - Bony fishes->
Chondrichthyes - Cartilaginous fishes->
- Elasmobranchii - Sharks and Rays->
  - Lamniformes - Mackerel sharks->
  - Carcharhiniformes - Ground sharks->
  - Rhinopristiformes - Shovelnose rays->
  - Torpediniformes - Electric rays->
  - Rajiformes - Skates and rays->
  - Orectolobiformes - Carpet shark->
    
    Rhincodontidae - Whale sharks->
    
    Ginglymostomatidae - Nurse sharks->
    
    Orectolobidae - Wobbegongs->
    
    Stegostomatidae - Zebra sharks->
    
    Brachaeluridae - Brachaeluridae->
    
    Brachaelurus - Brachaelurus->
    
    Blind shark (Brachaelurus waddi)
    
    Colclough’s shark (Brachaelurus colcloughi)
    
    Hemiscylliidae - Bamboo sharks->
    
    Parascylliidae - Collared carpet sharks->
  - Squatiniformes - Angelsharks->
  - Heterodontiformes - Bullhead and horn sharks->
  - Hexanchiformes - Six-gill sharks->
  - Myliobatiformes - Stingrays->
  - Squaliformes - Sleeper and dogfish sharks->
  - Echinorhiniformes - Bramble sharks->
  - Pristiophoriformes - Saw sharks->
- Holocephali - Chimaeras->
Agnatha - Jawless fishes->