Hemiscyllium ocellatum - T.B.

Hemiscyllium ocellatum, commonly known as the Epaulette shark, is a small/medium (they usually don’t grow larger than 100 cm) bottom shark. A quite long and slender shark which bears much resemblance with many other epaulette sharks, especially H. hallstromi. H. ocellatum can best be distinguished by the large spot which has a halo around it lighter than their base colour. They’ve spots on their head, body and fins, but these are quite small compared to other species. As juveniles they have more pronounced bands and spots are smaller.

These fish inhabit shallow coral reefs and are mainly active at night. They’ve the ability to shut off non-essential brain functions to save oxygen, probably to survive in tide-pools with low oxygen. They feed mainly on small fish and invertebrates living in/on the bottom. They can best be fed with enriched frozen and live meaty foods like all kinds of shrimp, fish and the occasionally mussel!

This fish is Tank Bred and will adapt to your aquarium easier compared to a wild caught specimen!