Australian angelshark (Squatina australis)

General data

Main name: Australian angelshark
Climates: Subtropical
Habitat: Saltwater
Native: Australia & Oceania
Distribution: Indian ocean

Classification

Genus: Squatina - Squatina
Family: Squatinidae - Angelsharks
Order: Squatiniformes - Angelsharks
Class: Elasmobranchii - Sharks and Rays
Superclass: Chondrichthyes - Cartilaginous fishes

Description

The Australian angelshark (Squatina australis) is a species of angelshark, family Squatinidae, found in the subtropical waters of southern Australia from Western Australia to New South Wales between latitudes 18°S and 41°S, at depths down to 255 m (840 ft). Its length is up to 1.52 m (5 ft). Reproduction is ovoviviparous, with up to 20 pups in a litter. The Australian angelshark has a broad, vertically compressed body and large triangular pectoral fins with free trailing flaps. The snout has fringed barbels beside the nostrils and a pair of spiracles. Each of these is set at a distance from the eye of about one and a half times the diameter of the eye. There are two small dorsal fins set far back and the tail fin is small. The maximum length is about 152 centimetres (60 in) and this shark has no large eyespots on the body. Male individuals are fully mature at around 800 millimetres (31 in) total length. The Australian angelshark is native to the continental shelf of southern Australia being found along the coasts of Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria, Tasmania and New South Wales at depths down to about 130 metres (430 ft). It is usually found on sandy or muddy seabeds and in seagrass meadows, often close to rocky reefs.

Australian angelshark (Squatina australis)

General data

Classification

Description

Taxonomy of Fishes