Crested Hornshark: Heterodontus galeatus

Family: Heterodontidae

Common name(s)

Crested Hornshark, Crested Bullhead Shark.

Binomial

Heterodontus galeatus.

Synonyms:

Cestracion galeatus, Heterodontis galeatus, Molochophrys galeatus.

Identification

Stout body. Large square head with highly prominent ridges above eyes. Two tall dorsal fins with rounded apexes; each with a spine at its origin. First dorsal fin origin level with pectoral fin insertion. Second dorsal fin origin level with pelvic fin posterior margin. Pectoral fins much larger than first dorsal. Pelvic fins roughly equal to second dorsal fin. Anal fin large and long. Caudal fin large, with prominent subterminal notch.
Dorsal coloration cream, light brown, or greyish with large dusky blotches.

Size

Maximum length at least 130cm (Last and Stevens 2009), but possibly more than 150cm.

Crested Hornshark, Heterodontus galeatus.

Conservation Status

LEAST CONCERN

The Crested Hornshark (Heterodontus galeatus) is not targeted commercially. When taken as bycatch, post-release survivorship is probably high based on studies of the closely related Port Jackson Shark. However, the Crested Hornshark is far less common than the PJS, which puts it at greater risk.

Habitat

Warm temperate and sub-tropical seas. The crested bullhead shark inhabits rocky reefs, kelp, and seagrass beds. Found from the intertidal zone to 93m.

Distribution

Southwest Pacific in eastern Australia from Cape Moreton in southern Queensland south to Batemans Bay in New South Wales.

Reproduction

Oviparous. Like other heterodontids, the Crested Hornshark lays auger shaped egg cases.

Diet

The Crested Bullhead Shark’s diet is mainly composed of sea urchins, as well as other invertebrates, and small fishes.

Behavior

Moves into shallow water during the winter months.

Reaction to divers

Very easy to approach. Remains motionless unless closely molested, at which point the crested hornshark usually swims a short distance away and resettles.

Diving logistics

Crested hornsharks are easy to find at a few different spots along the coast of New South Wales. Fly Point in Nelson Bay is a great place to shore dive with this species. In the summer, they tend to stay deeper i.e. around 30m. In the winter, they migrate into the shallows.
Crested hornsharks are also common at Manly and other dive sites around Sydney.

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