Shark Report: The Epaulette Shark | The Beachside Resident

By: Bloody Bill

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Hemiscyllium ocellatum, the Epaulette Shark
By Bloody Bill

As I’m finishing up this article before going to work the kitchen for $2 Taco Tuesday at Taco City, I realized these little sharks are more common in our area than I ever could have imagined.

This is the second of my ongoing reports of common sharks we may see in our local aquariums, restaurants, and pet shops. This month’s species is one that caught my eye several years ago in a higher-end seafood restaurant in Stuart. My chick at the time said, “Okay, shark expert, what the heck kinda shark is that?” indicating a specimen in the lobby tank. To my dismay, I did not know, and had to live down the rest of the weekend in shame.

Well, fortunately for the rest of you, I’m here to make sure you don’t have to go through the humiliation I did and to make sure you know your sharks. This month’s species is one that’s very common in our area and also one that’s very easy to identify — hemiscyllium ocellatum, the epaulette shark.

The epaulette shark is a small species, with a maximum reported size of 42 inches, although they’re more likely to be found in the 24- to 26-inch range. They have an amazing coloration consisting of a creamy brown flecked with darker spots along its entire body. Indicative characteristics include a short, rounded snout, the absence of a lower tail lobe, spiracles behind the eyes, and sensory barbels near the nostrils. But one of its most distinctive characteristics is a pair of large black spots located directly behind the pectoral fins. These fins are of equal size and are the same size as the pelvic fins as well. Their teeth are similar to others in its family, and appear to be designed for grasping and crushing both soft and hard-bodied reef creatures. More than likely this means that epaulette sharks are nocturnal feeders specializing in reef fish and small crustaceans.

Like last month’s species, epaulettes are large and muscular, and are often observed “walking” along the sea floor. They commonly inhabit inshore tropical and subtropical reefs along the northern coast of Australia to depths of 164 feet, though they are often found in nearshore tidepools trapped until the rising of the tide. Epaulettes are often handled by beachgoers, and are not considered dangerous. Although they appear to be year-round residents in their home range, data on them is extremely deficient.

This shark is considered as of minor importance in the pet and aquaria trade, but commercial fisheries may use it in traditional Chinese medicines. They are often found in aquariums throughout the world due to their ability to adapt well to captivity. The epaulette shark is currently listed as being of “Least Concern” by the IUCN, but this may change due to its collection in the pet trade. However, populations in their home range have been traditionally lacking in assessment and accuracy.

Like all sharks, this species is an integral part of our ecosystem and deserves our continued respect, conservation, and admiration.

Mahalo,
Bloody Bill

For more information visit: www.flmnh.ufl.edu