Port Jackson Shark

Heterodontus portusjacksoni

Quick Facts

Scientific name Heterodontus portusjacksoni

Other names Bullhead Shark, Dogshark, Horn Shark, Oyster Crusher, Pigfish, Tabbigaw

Size Up to 1.65 m (5.4 ft)

Weight Over 20 kg (44 lb)

Distribution

Habitat & AU Distribution Coastal to offshore waters preferring rocky areas & reef with sandy patches and seagrass beds

Depth Range 1 - 275 m (3 - 902 ft)

Interesting Info

The Port Jackson Shark is a small bottom-dwelling shark found only in southern Australian waters, making it an endemic species.
They are named after Port Jackson in Sydney, where they were first described, but they actually range much more widely along southern Australia.
They prefer rocky reefs, sandy bays, and seagrass beds, often sheltering in caves or crevices during the day. Juveniles are more common in shallower bays and estuaries, while adults move offshore and along reefs.
Their body is grey to light brown with dark harness-like bands across their back and sides, giving them a distinctive patterned look.
They have a blunt, pig-like snout and ridges above their eyes, which make them easy to tell apart from other sharks.
Their diet is mainly hard-shelled prey like sea urchins, crabs, snails, and shellfish. They use their strong, flat molar-like teeth to crush shells with ease.
Port Jackson Sharks are nocturnal — they rest in caves and crevices during the day, often piled together in groups, and head out at night to feed.
Unusually for sharks, they can also chew their food, moving prey between the front and back of their jaws to break it down.
Adults typically grow to 75–95 cm (2.5–3 ft), though large females can reach up to 1.65 m (5.4 ft) and weigh around 20–25 kg (44–55 lb).
Breeding happens in late winter and spring. Females lay large, spiral-shaped eggs (about 7–8 cm long) that they wedge into rocky crevices to keep them safe.
These eggs take a long time to develop — 10–12 months — before hatching into miniature sharks about 25 cm (10 in) long.
Port Jackson Sharks breathe a bit differently from most sharks — they can actively pump water over their gills while resting, which allows them to stay still on the seabed for long periods.
They are famous for their annual migration: adults travel hundreds of kilometres south to breed, then return northwards.
Males and females mature slowly, usually at 8–10 years of age, and they can live for up to 30 years.

Species Interaction

Recreational Fishing, Snorkelling & Diving, Conservation

These sharks are one of the most frequently encountered by divers in southern Australia, especially around Sydney, Jervis Bay, and Port Phillip Bay. Their gentle nature and distinctive appearance make them a favourite for underwater photography. While not targeted for recreational fishing, they are often caught as bycatch when targeting other reed species. Conservation efforts focus mainly on protecting their breeding habitats and monitoring migration routes. They are also a popular educational species, often displayed in public aquariums.

Scientific Classification

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Chondrichthyes

Order: Heterodontiformes

Family: Heterodontidae

Genus: Heterodontus

Species: Heterodontus portusjacksoni

Conservation Status

The Port Jackson Shark is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN due to its wide range, stable population, and lack of targeted fishing. Local threats include habitat degradation, pollution, and incidental bycatch, but overall the species is not considered at risk.

Fish Taste Quality

Port Jackson Shark are edible and occasionally eaten in parts of Australia but not widely targeted or prized. Flesh is mild but less popular compared to other edible sharks.

Taste Rating: 2/5