Description: A pair of Epaulette Sharks in the Ripley's Aquarim of Canada- those big black spots were a dead giveaway! The Epaulette Shark (Hemiscyllium ocellatum) is a species of longtailed carpet shark, family Hemiscylliidae, found in shallow, tropical waters off Australia and New Guinea (and possibly elsewhere). The common name of this shark comes from the very large, white-margined black spot behind each pectoral fin, which are reminiscent of military epaulettes which you can see clearly. A small species usually under 1 mtr in length, the Epaulette Shark has a slender body with a short head and broad, paddle-shaped paired fins. Adults are light brown above, with scattered darker spots and indistinct saddles. Epaulette sharks have nocturnal habits and frequent shallow water on coral reefs or in tidal pools. This shark has evolved to cope with the severe night time oxygen depletion (hypoxia) in isolated tidal pools by increasing the blood supply to its brain and selectively shutting down non-essential neural functions. The epaulette shark is an opportunistic predator of crustaceans, worms, and small bony fish. (Toronto, Canada, Nov.2015). Date: 1 November 2015, 00:00. Source:
Epaulette Sharks- that big black spot was a dead giveaway!. Author:
shankar s. from Dubai, united arab emirates.
