Scyliorhinidae

balloon shark

Cephaloscyllium sufflans

Nostril flaps over sandy muddy bottoms

• Tropical
• Regional distribution
• Marine fish
• Indian Ocean
• Africa
• Southeast Asia
• Elongated
• Large
• Tropical fish

The balloon shark (Cephaloscyllium sufflans) is a species of catshark, and part of the family Scyliorhinidae, endemic to the southwestern Indian Ocean off South Africa and Mozambique. Benthic in nature, it is found over sandy and muddy flats at depths of 40–600 m (130–1,970 ft). This thick-bodied species has a broad, flattened head and a short tail; its distinguishing traits include narrow, lobe-like skin flaps in front of the nostrils, and a dorsal color pattern of faint darker saddles on a light grayish background.