Parascylliidae

cat shark

Parascyllium variolatum

Hiding by day and camouflaging at night

• Temperate
• Continental endemic
• Local endemic species
• Restricted distribution
• Marine fish
• Indian Ocean
• Oceania
• Large
• Temperate fish

The necklace carpetshark (Parascyllium variolatum), also known as the varied carpetshark, is a carpetshark of the family Parascylliidae endemic to the waters off Australia's southern coast between latitudes 37°S and 41°S. It is found near the ocean floor over sand, rock, coral reefs, and kelp and seagrass beds at depths down to 180 m (590 ft). It is almost exclusively seen at night and spends the day hidden in caves or camouflaged on the ocean floor. With a slender, elongated body and a maximum length of only 91.0 cm TL, it is harmless to humans.