Port Jackson shark (Heterodontus portusjacksoni)

General data

Main name: Port Jackson shark
Climates: Subtropical
Habitat: Saltwater
Native: Australia & Oceania
Distribution: Pacific Ocean

Classification

Genus: Heterodontus - Heterodontus
Family: Heterodontidae - Heterodontidae
Order: Heterodontiformes - Bullhead and horn sharks
Class: Elasmobranchii - Sharks and Rays
Superclass: Chondrichthyes - Cartilaginous fishes

Description

The Port Jackson shark (Heterodontus portusjacksoni) is a nocturnal, oviparous (egg laying) type of bullhead shark of the family Heterodontidae, found in the coastal region of southern Australia, including the waters off Port Jackson. It has a large, blunt head with prominent forehead ridges and dark brown harness-like markings on a lighter grey-brown body, and can grow up to 1.65 metres (5.5 ft) long. They are the largest in the genus Heterodontus. The Port Jackson shark is a migratory species, travelling south in the summer and returning north to breed in the winter. It feeds on hard-shelled mollusks, crustaceans, sea urchins, and fish. Identification of this species is very easy due to the pattern of harness-like markings that cross the eyes, run along the back to the first dorsal fin, then cross the side of the body, in addition to the spine in front of both dorsal fins.

Port Jackson shark (Heterodontus portusjacksoni)

General data

Classification

Description

Taxonomy of Fishes