DiscoverSpeciesSharks and rays
Spotted Cat Shark
Asymbolus occiduus
- Usual depth99–375 m
- Water temperature14–22 °C
- Best monthsFebruary
- How commonRare
About this species
The western spotted catshark is a species of shark belonging to the family Pentanchidae, the deepwater catsharks. This species is found only around southwestern Australia, at depths between 100 and 400 m. Males can grow up to 60 cm (24 in) in length, while females have a maximum length of 53 cm (21 in). The western spotted catshark reproduces via oviparity.
Text from the Wikipedia article “Western spotted catshark”, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the article
Where and when
Where it has been recorded
Worldwide
Loading the map
Best months
Worldwide (open data)
- January: 0 records
- February: 18 records
- March: 1 records
- April: 0 records
- May: 0 records
- June: 2 records
- July: 0 records
- August: 7 records
- September: 0 records
- October: 0 records
- November: 3 records
- December: 2 records
Depth and water temperature
Depth
Mostly recorded at 99–375 m · Deepest record: 375 m
Water temperature
Recorded in surface water of 14–22 °C
Names and classification
- English
- Spotted Cat Shark, Western Spotted Catshark
Names in 1 more languages
- German
- Westlicher Flecken-Katzenhai
Similar species
- Australian spotted catshark
Asymbolus analis
- Orange-spotted Catshark
Asymbolus rubiginosus
- Blotched Catshark
Asymbolus funebris
- Starry Catshark
Asymbolus galacticus
- Pale Spotted Catshark
Asymbolus pallidus
- Dwarf Catshark
Asymbolus parvus
Sources and credits
Names and taxonomy: WoRMS (CC BY 4.0) and the GBIF Backbone (CC BY 4.0). Photos: iNaturalist observers, each under the licence shown (CC0, CC BY or CC BY-SA).
- Depth, temperature, months and maps: records from OBIS and GBIF under CC0 or CC BY.
- Descriptions: Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA, each linked to its article.
- Conservation status as published by GBIF (IUCN Red List).
- 46 open-data records from 1975 to 2014.
Log what you see on your next dive
The free DiveHive diver app keeps your logbook with every sighting and shows what lives at the site you dive next.