Hemigaleidae

Australian weasel shark

Hemigaleus australiensis

Juveniles in seagrass adults on reefs

• Tropical
• Regional distribution
• Marine fish
• Indian Ocean
• Pacific Ocean
• Oceania
• Elongated
• Large
• Tropical fish

The Australian weasel shark (Hemigaleus australiensis) is an uncommon species of ground shark in the family Hemigaleidae. It inhabits shallow waters off northern Australia to a depth of 170 m (560 ft); smaller sharks frequent sand and seagrass habitat and shift to coral reefs as they grow older. A slim, drab species reaching a length of 1.1 m (3.6 ft), it has sickle-shaped fins with dark tips on the second dorsal fin and caudal fin upper lobe.