Banded Wobbegong, Orectolobus ornatus (De Vis, 1883)

ANIMAL SPECIES:Banded Wobbegong, Orectolobus ornatus (De Vis, 1883)

The Banded Wobbegong is a distinctively coloured bottom-dwelling species that occurs on inshore reefs and near offshore islands.

Identification

The Banded Wobbegong can be recognised by its body shape and colouration. It has a broad, flattened head with skin flaps around the snout margin. The eyes are small and oval. The species has two dorsal fins which are positioned posteriorly on the body. The caudal fin has a long upper lobe. The anal fin is positioned so far posteriorly, it almost looks like a lower caudal fin lobe.

The species is usually golden-brown with broad dark areas, and blueish-grey spots above. It is pale below. The margins of the fins often have dark spots.

The similar-looking Spotted Wobbegong occurs in temperate Australian coastal waters from southern Queensland to south-western Western Australia. It can be distinguished from the Banded Wobbegong by its colour pattern which consists of broad dark saddles and distinct circles formed by groupings of small white dots.

Size range

It grows up to 3 m in length.

Similar Species

Spotted Wobbegong

Distribution

It occurs in all Australian coastal waters and offshore islands. It is also known from Papua New Guinea.

Distribution by collection data

Biomaps map of Banded Wobbegong specimens in the Australian Museum collection.

What does this mean?

Habitat

The Banded Wobbegong is usually seen in clear water on inshore reefs and offshore islands to depths of at least 50 m.

Divers most often see the Banded Wobbegong lying on the bottom during daylight hours.

Living with us

Danger to humans and first aid

It is generally not aggressive, however it should be considered as potentially dangerous due to its large size and sharp teeth.

Classification

Species:: ornatus
Genus:: Orectolobus
Family:: Orectolobidae
Class:: Chondrichthyes
Subphylum:: Vertebrata
Phylum:: Chordata
Kingdom:: Animalia

What does this mean?

References

Compagno, L.J.V. 1984. FAO species catalogue. Vol. 4, Sharks of the World. An annotated and illustrated catalogue of shark species known to date. Part 1 - Hexanchiformes to Lamniformes: viii, 1-250.
Kuiter, R.H. 1993. Coastal Fishes of South-Eastern Australia. Crawford House Press. Pp. 437.
Last, P.R. & J.D. Stevens. 1994 Sharks and Rays of Australia. CSIRO. Pp. 513.
Stevens, J.D. in Gomon, M.F, Glover, C.J.M. & R.H. Kuiter (Eds). 1994. The Fishes of Australia's South Coast. State Print, Adelaide. Pp. 992.
Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 557.

Last Updated: 3 December 2009

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