(Image credit: Antonia Cooper)

The crested hornshark has a grey body with dark brown spot-like markings. The brow ridges are bony and extend abruptly above the eyes. The gill slits are white and the edges of the fins have a lighter colouration than the body. It is a very unique looking shark and easily distinguishable from other shark species. It does however resemble the closely related and more commonly encountered Port Jackson shark.  The two can be distinguished by the presence of dark coloured, triangular shaped markings on the flanks (behind the head) on the Port Jackson shark.

This shark can usually be found resting on the substrate or foraging for food items such as urchins during twilight and night hours.

Length: Up to 90 cm

Habitat

Sheltered reef and rocky areas to 90 m depth. Rests in caves during day, hunts mainly at night; 1-93 m depth

Log it

In New South Wales, log if spotted south of Jervis Bay

Related links/info

Provided by Dave Powter

Species names on the Redmap site are based on the Codes for Australian Aquatic Biota or CAAB (http://www.cmar.csiro.au/caab/). This is updated regularly and lists the approved common name, family, species name and more.

Find further information and images at FISHES OF AUSTRALIA http://www.fishesofaustralia.net.au/

Last PR and Stevens JD. 2009. Sharks and Rays of Australia. 2nd Edition.