Pale brown catshark with numerous rusty spots, similar-sized dorsal fins, a short rounded snout and well-developed mouth-corner grooves. Marine occurrence is documented, but capture depth and preferred habitat are unknown. A depth range is not inferred from the family name.
Wildlife education
This record supports wildlife education. Aquarium-care questions are not assigned to this profile.
Wildlife education profile; reviewed natural-history sources do not establish a captive operating protocol.
Wildlife reference; no home-aquarium stocking recommendation or validated captive operating protocol is supplied. Public-aquarium photographs document living animals, not suitability for private keeping.
Outstanding care evidence
- Institutional lifetime husbandry and veterinary protocol
Identification
Pale brown catshark with numerous rusty spots, similar-sized dorsal fins, a short rounded snout and well-developed mouth-corner grooves.
Names and Classification
Originally described in Scyliorhinidae/Schroederichthyinae; 2022 phylogenetic revision places Akheilos with Pentanchidae, also followed by current Catalog of Fishes. A 2025 paper repeats the older Schroederichthyinae relationship; family treatments conflict.
Adult Size
The adult male holotype measured 53.7 cm total length. This single specimen does not establish maximum size or female size.
Distribution and Habitat
Known from a specimen collected in the Ambon–Seram area, Maluku Islands, eastern Indonesia. Marine occurrence is documented, but capture depth and preferred habitat are unknown. A depth range is not inferred from the family name.
Feeding and Ecological Role
Diet is unknown; no prey list is inferred from related catsharks. Known principally through museum material; apparent rarity may reflect sampling limitations. No direct population estimate is available.
Reproduction and Life History
Female reproductive anatomy and development are unknown; reproductive mode and egg output are not established here.
Conservation
Data Deficient (IUCN Red List global species assessment; Assessed 21 November 2019; published 2020; checked 2026-10-17). Global category; insufficient information is not evidence of low risk.
Responsible Observation
Observe without chasing, feeding, touching or obstructing the animal. Keep fins and equipment off resting rays and sharks; give sawfishes and wedgefishes room to move. Follow the site’s local wildlife rules and use responsible dive operators.
About the Photographs
No freely reusable photograph of a verified living specimen was found in this search. The target of at least three photographs remains unmet. Dead or preserved specimens, drawings and uncertain identifications were excluded.
Aquarium Suitability
Wildlife education only. This marine elasmobranch is outside home-aquarium stocking and care guidance. Wild range and diet are not a captive operating protocol; this profile does not infer tank dimensions, water settings, acquisition advice or an institutional welfare plan.
Evidence Gaps
Evidence gaps include: Female size, diet, reproduction, habitat depth, age and population size remain unknown; Family placement should retain a source note; do not transfer Schroederichthys biology.
A living record
Natural history, taxonomy and global conservation categories checked against the linked sources. Habitat measurements are not captive care settings. Each photograph has separate identity, living-status and rights evidence. Public content last reviewed October 17, 2026.
- Original 2019 description ↗Reference source
- Original holotype figure archive ↗Reference source
- Original 2022 phylogenetic classification ↗Reference source
- IUCN global assessment ↗Reference source
- Shark-References — species and taxonomic synonyms ↗Reference source