TRITON BAY EPAULETTE SHARK

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Common Names: Triton Bay Epaulette Shark, Triton walking shark, Henry's epaulette shark.

Binomial: Hemiscyllium henryi.

Family: Hemiscylliidae - longtailed carpetsharks or bamboo sharks.

Identification: Long, cylindrical, eel-like body. Well developed pectoral and pelvic fins on fore-body. Two dorsal fins on rear-body. Tail long. Upper and lower caudal lobes on underside. Sub-terminal notch present.

Coloration: Similar in appearance to the common epaulette shark H. ocellatum but with a unique B shaped, double ocellus (eye-spot) just behind the gill area.

Overall body light brown-tan with scattered small dark spots. Some spot groupings form leopard-like markings especially in more mature animals. Darker patches along upper back with concentrations of dark spots, form 11-12 subtly darker saddles and bands along body and tail.
Ventrum pale.

Size: Maximum confirmed length at least 78cm.

Habitat:  Sandy bays and coral reefs. From 3 to 30m.

Distribution: Endemic to Triton Bay, Indonesia. Apparently restricted to the channel between Aiduma Island and mainland West Papua but further surveys may show that Henrys epaulette shark has a broader range in southern West Papua.

Behavior:  Rests by day under corals venturing out at sunset to feed. Swims or walks along on its flexible pectoral and pelvic fins. Wriggles through gaps in coral in search of prey or to seek protection.

Reproduction: Oviparous. Biology poorly known.

Conservation Status: A recently described species (2008), the Triton Bay epaulette shark is listed as DATA DEFICIENT by the IUCN.
Triton Bay is a protected area with little industry and a limited local fishery. However, this shark's limited range implies that it would be extremely susceptible to depletion if it were targeted for food or collected for the aquarium trade.

Photographs: Triton Bay Diver's House Reef, Aiduma Island, West Papua.

Similar species: The Triton Bay epaulette shark is the only epaulette shark known to inhabit Papua Barat Province but if it proves to be more widespread than currently known, it may overlap with other species that inhabit southern PNG and Raja Ampat such as the Indonesian Speckled Carpetshark; distinguished by its rounder ocellum with a crescent or dumbell shaped adjacent blotch.

Reaction to divers: Usually seen at night. May bolt when caught in a diver's spotlight or remain motionless relying on camouflage.

Diving logistics: Although the region is seasonally visited by a handful of liveaboards, the best way to encounter this species is to book a trip with Triton Bay Divers. This species can be found at night on their house reef in 3-5m depth.

References and further reading:

Allen, G.R. and M.V. Erdmann, 2008. Two new species of bamboo sharks (Orectolobiformes: hemiscylliidae) from Western New Guinea. Aqua Int. J. Ichthyol. 13(3-4):93-108. (Ref. 74956)

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