Name: Swellshark
Scientific Name: Cephaloscyllium ventriosum (Garman, 1880)
Family: Scyliorhinidae
Group: Sharks, rays and chimaeras
Class: Fish
Size: 51-100 cm.
The swellshark spends the day immobile on the sea floor in rocky caves or cracks. It becomes active at night, swimming slowly among algae or in the water column, close to the bottom at depths thought to be between 5 and 40 m. Very often, while resting, several lay one on top of the other. Like porcupinefishes and puffers, this shark can expand its abdomen when distressed. Similarly, when it is in cracks, it can expand its stomach with water or air, making it difficult to remove. It is not dangerous but can bite when provoked.
Photo by:
Cliff (commons.wikimedia.org)
Oceanário Location
Temperate Pacific
