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Sharks, part 3

Eastern angelshark

  • The eastern angel shark has its eyes on the upper surface of its head and long, broad pectoral fins. The gills are on the side of the head and the long depressed tail has no anal fin
    The eastern angel shark has its eyes on the upper surface of its head and long, broad pectoral fins. The gills are on the side of the head and the long depressed tail has no anal fin
  • A map showing the distribution of the eastern angelshark, which is found along the outer continental shelf off the east coast of Australia
    Distribution of the eastern angelshark.
Scientific name

Squatina albipunctata. CAAB Code: 37 024004

Family

Angelsharks (Squatinidae)

Other names

None

Frequent misidentifications

Australian angelshark (S. australis) which does not occur in Queensland waters.

Description
  • large ray-like shark
  • flattened body and extremely broad pectoral fins
  • yellow-brown to dark brown on the upper surface with small white, dark edged spots and white underneath
  • only species of angelshark reported from Queensland waters.
Distribution

Outer continental shelf.

Size

30 to 130 cm.

Fisheries

Trawl fisheries.

Further information

Last updated 23 April 2013