Western Spotted Catshark

Medium-sized body pale, yellowish green with 8 or 9 pale brownish saddles on the upper surface and sides; covered with sharply defined, brownish black spots; prominent dark spot usually beneath each eye and a single spot on dorsal midline between each saddle; trunk narrow; head relatively short. Caudal fin long, peduncle deep; dorsal and pelvic fins low; anal-fin base longer than pelvic-anal space. Teeth ridged, 5 main cusps. Monospondylous centra 37-41. Posterior margin of first dorsal fin 0.61-0.77 times its base (Ref. 36718).

Oviparous, paired eggs are laid. Embryos feed solely on yolk (Ref. 50449).

Occurs on the continental shelf and slope (Ref. 75154).

Oviparous (Ref. 50449).

The western spotted catshark (Asymbolus occiduus) is a cat shark of the family Scyliorhinidae found only around southwestern Australia, at depths between 100 and 400 m. Males can grow up to 60cm in length, while females have a maximum length of 53cm. The western spotted catshark reproduces via oviparity.