Indian swellshark

Cephaloscyllium silasi

Swelling by gulping air or water

Regional distribution
Marine fish
Indian Ocean
South Asia
West Asia
Elongated
Medium

The Indian swellshark (Cephaloscyllium silasi) is a catshark of the family Scyliorhinidae found in the western Indian Ocean near Quilon, India and Sauqira Bay, Oman. Specimens caught as bycatch near North Sentinel Island of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands have been genetically identified as Indian swellsharks, expanding its known range to the Andaman Sea. It grows to about 36 cm in length, and can expand its body by taking in air or water to make it appear larger to predators.

Class: Sharks and Rays
Order: Ground Sharks
Family: Scyliorhinidae
Genus: Cephaloscyllium
Maximum length: 36 cm
Water: Marine
Body shape: elongated
Distribution: Western Indian Ocean: vicinity of Quilon, India (Ref. 244 ) and Sauqira Bay, Oman (Ref. 10914 ).
Conservation status: CRCritically Endangered

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