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Australian Sawtail Catshark

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iNaturalist Wikipedia

A masterpiece of deep-sea camouflage, the Australian Sawtail Catshark is defined by its ornate white-edged saddles and unique, saw-like tail. This elusive resident of the southern Australian shelf remains one of the ocean's most beautifully patterned mysteries.

0 Sightings

0 Habitats

Quick Identification

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Size

Up to 61 cm (24 in) in length; typically weighs less than 1.5 kg (3.3 lbs)

palette

Colors

Light grayish-brown base with 11-13 broad, dark brown saddle-like bands across the back, each meticulously outlined with a thin white or cream-colored border.

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Key Features

Distinct saw-like crests of enlarged dermal denticles along the top and bottom of the tail
Eel-like, slender body with a blunt snout
Broad dark saddles with high-contrast white outlines

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern Active day and night

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Peak hours 24 hours (due to limited light in deep-sea habitats)

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Season Year-round

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Diet A generalist predator that hunts along the seafloor for small bony fish, various crustaceans (such as shrimp and crabs), and small cephalopods like squid or octopus.

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Habitat Deepwater marine environments, specifically the outer continental shelf and upper continental slope with soft, sediment-heavy bottoms.

public Geographic range

Where Does the Australian Sawtail Catshark Live?

Where Does the Australian Sawtail Catshark Live? This specialized shark is found exclusively in the temperate and subtropical waters surrounding the southern half of the Australian continent. Its range extends from the sun-drenched waters off southern Queensland, wrapping around New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia, reaching as far west as the Great Australian Bight. It is a true endemic, meaning you won't find this specific sawtail anywhere else in the world's oceans.

Basemap © OpenStreetMap contributors

1 Countries

1.5M km² Range

Least Concern Conservation

AU Australia

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iNaturalist / Verified observation data

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Behavior

The Australian Sawtail Catshark is a predominantly benthic (bottom-dwelling) species that leads a relatively slow-paced life in the dark depths of the ocean. Unlike their more famous predatory cousins, these sharks do not constantly cruise the open water; instead, they stay close to the seafloor, using an undulating, eel-like swimming motion to navigate the sandy or muddy substrates of the continental slope.

While they are largely solitary, they are not strictly territorial and may congregate in areas where food is particularly abundant. Their interactions with humans are virtually non-existent due to their deep-water habitat, though they are frequently encountered by deep-sea research equipment and commercial fishing trawlers. They are harmless to humans, possessing small teeth designed for grasping slippery prey rather than biting large animals.

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Camera Tips

Capturing the Australian Sawtail Catshark requires specialized underwater equipment rather than a standard backyard setup. For those using deep-sea Baited Remote Underwater Video (BRUV) systems, the best results are achieved at depths between 200 and 500 meters along the Australian continental slope. Use a heavy-duty, pressure-rated housing and ensure your camera is equipped with high-powered LED floodlights, as natural light does not penetrate to these depths.

To draw the catshark into the camera's field of view, use a perforated bait canister filled with oily fish like sardines or mackerel. The scent trail is essential for attracting these sharks in the vast darkness. Position the camera facing a clear patch of sandy or muddy seafloor to allow the shark's intricate saddle patterns and 'sawtail' denticles to be clearly visible against the substrate.

Set your camera to record in high-frame-rate video if possible, as their movement is slow and serpentine. Because these sharks are sluggish, a 30-second trigger interval is usually sufficient to capture several passes. Make sure your mounting system is stable enough to withstand deep-sea currents, which can be surprisingly strong along the shelf edge.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Australian Sawtail Catshark.

Rusty Catshark

The Rusty Catshark lacks the distinct white outlines around its saddles and has a more uniform, reddish-brown spotted appearance.

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Frequently Asked Questions

In the deep-sea environments where they live, light levels are constant and extremely low. Consequently, Australian Sawtail Catsharks are active day and night, showing no specific preference for a 'circadian' rhythm like surface-dwelling animals.

You can attract them using a Baited Remote Underwater Video (BRUV) system. Oily fish bait like crushed pilchards or tuna is highly effective at drawing them in from the surrounding darkness via their keen sense of smell.

They are opportunistic carnivores that eat a variety of small deep-sea creatures, including small bony fishes, squid, and crustaceans like shrimp or crabs found on the seafloor.

No, they are strictly deep-ocean dwellers. You won't find them in coastal shallows or near piers; they stay at depths of 85 meters or more, far offshore on the continental shelf.

Look for the white outlines around the dark saddle markings—this is a key identifier. Additionally, the presence of enlarged, saw-like scales (denticles) specifically along the top and bottom edges of the tail is unique to this genus.

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