Carpetshark
Size / Weight / Age
Max length : 320 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 247); common length : 180 cm TL
male/unsexed; (Ref. 247)
Length at first maturity
Lm ?, range 60 - ? cm
Environment
Marine; reef-associated; depth range ? - 110 m (Ref. 247) (Ref. 55261)
Climate / Range
Temperate; 20°S - 40°S, 113°E - 154°E
Distribution
Eastern Indian Ocean: southern Australia, from Western Australia to southern
Queensland. Records from Japan and the South China Sea need to be confirmed.
Countries | FAO areas | Ecosystems | Occurrences | Introductions |
Short description
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 0; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft
rays: 0. Back dark, with light O-shaped markings obscuring darker saddles (Ref.
13577). Caudal fin with its upper lobe hardly elevated above the body axis, with
a strong terminal lobe and subterminal notch but no ventral lobe (Ref. 13577).
Biology Glossary (e.g. epibenthic)
Found on the continental shelf, from the intertidal down to at least 110 m (Ref.
247). Commonly on coral and rocky reefs, under piers, and on sand bottom (Ref.
247). May occur in water barely deep enough to cover the fish, and has been
observed climbing ridges between tide pools with its back out of water (Ref.
247). Nocturnal (Ref. 247). Feeds on bottom invertebrates (Ref. 247), including
crabs, lobsters and octopuses (Ref. 43278), and bony fishes (Ref. 247), like sea
bass, scorpionfishes and luderick (Ref. 43278). Ovoviviparous (Ref. 43278,
50449), with up to 37 pups in a litter (Ref. 247). Known to bite people that
step on it or put their feet near its mouth, and can and will bite when molested
and provoked (Ref. 247). Flesh highly regarded and sometimes utilized for human
consumption (Ref. 247). Skin sometimes utilized for leather (Ref. 247). Regarded
as pest by lobster fishers