Common names
Australian Blackspotted Catshark, Blackspotted Catshark.
Binomial
Aulohalaelurus labiosus.
Synonyms
Catulus labiosus, Halaelurus labiosus.
Identification
Long, slender body. Snout short, narrow and somewhat flattened. Mouth width greater than snout length. Enlarged nasal flaps extend rearward from nares to close to mouth. First dorsal fin origin level with or slightly anterior to pelvic fin insertion. Second dorsal fin origin slightly posterior to anal fin origin. First and second dorsal fins of roughly equal size, with narrowly rounded apexes. Lower caudal lobe indistinct.
Dorsal coloration greyish brown with subtle dusky saddles and many small black spots. Dorsal fins have white tips, and variegated white and black anterior margins.
Size
Maximum length 67cm. Size at birth unknown.
Conservation Status
LEAST CONCERN
Although the Black Spotted Catshark (Aulohalaelurus labiosus) has a very limited range in southwestern Australia, it is considered quite common and is not targeted or regularly caught as bycatch.
Habitat
A temperate water catshark species inhabiting crevices in shallow rocky reefs. From the surface to at least 5m (personal observation).
Distribution
The Australian blackspotted catshark is a southwest Australian endemic found from the Houtman Abrolhos Islands near Geraldton to the Recherche Archipelago east of Esperance.
Reproduction
Oviparous. Reproductive cycle largely unknown.
Diet
Probably feeds on molluscs and crustaceans.
Behavior
Rests in deep crevices in the reef during the day. Forages on the reef at night, using it’s narrow body to wriggle into small openings.
Reaction to divers
Somewhat shy, retreating into the reef when disturbed. Sometimes comes to rest in plain view, allowing close examination and photo ops.
Diving logistics
The Australian blackspotted catshark is not common, but is fairly easy to find while night diving on shallow inshore reefs in and around Perth. The two spots where there have been numerous sightings (probably just because they’re the most popular spots for diving) are Cottesloe Beach right in Perth and Busselton Jetty about 90 minutes south of the city.
Note that multiple white shark attacks have occurred at Cottesloe. Descend quickly and try to avoid surface swimming while returning to shore.
Similar species
Australian Marbled Catshark Distinguished by more distinct and tightly spaced saddles and more northerly range.