Port Jackson Shark

The Port Jackson Shark is a large, distinctive bullhead shark native to the temperate waters of southern Australia. It is one of the most recognizable sharks in Australian waters, featuring a blunt head with prominent forehead ridges and a unique harness-like pattern of dark brown bands that run across the body and around the gills, creating a distinctive marking that resembles a horse's yoke or harness. Its tan to grayish-brown body can reach an impressive 65 inches in length, making it one of the largest Heterodontus species.

In the wild, Port Jackson Sharks are primarily found in rocky reefs, seagrass beds, and sandy areas at depths from shallow tide pools to over 250 meters. They are nocturnal hunters that feed mainly on hard-shelled invertebrates, including sea urchins, mollusks, crabs, and starfish. Like other bullhead sharks, they possess heterodont teeth with sharp front teeth for grasping and flat molar-like rear teeth for crushing shells. Port Jackson Sharks are known for their annual migrations along the Australian coast, traveling hundreds of kilometers between breeding and feeding grounds.

Keeping a Port Jackson Shark in captivity is a serious undertaking reserved for the most dedicated aquarists with access to very large systems. A minimum tank size of 500 gallons with a long, wide footprint is essential, and significantly larger is preferable. The most critical requirement is temperature: this is a cold-water species that requires water temperatures between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. A high-capacity chiller is mandatory in most indoor environments. The combination of its large adult size, cold-water requirements, and long lifespan of over 20 years means this species should only be attempted by hobbyists who can provide a permanent home with appropriate conditions.