Banded sand catshark

Atelomycterus fasciatus

The first sharks found living inside sponges

Tropical
Regional distribution
Marine fish
Pacific Ocean
Oceania
Elongated
Medium
Tropical fish

The banded sand catshark (Atelomycterus fasciatus) is a coloured catshark belonging to the family Atelomycteridae found in the Indo-West Pacific Ocean, endemic to northern Australia between latitudes 10° S and 21° S, at depths between 27 and 120 metres (89 and 394 ft). Its length is up to 45 centimetres (18 in). They were the first sharks to be discovered living in sponges.

Class: Sharks and Rays
Order: Ground Sharks
Family: Scyliorhinidae
Genus: Atelomycterus
Maximum length: 45 cm
Water: Marine
Body shape: elongated
Distribution: Indo-West Pacific: northern Australia. Western Australian specimens lack the white spots and are lighter colored.
Conservation status: LCLeast Concern

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