Coral Catshark w/DATA ex Dr. Gordon Hubbell

NO NTERNATIONAL SHIPPING

Coral Catshark Jaw with Data (Atelomycterus marmoratus)

Singapore sits at the heart of the Coral Catshark's Indo-Pacific range — and a documented jaw specimen collected from its waters carries a locality story as compelling as the species itself. Held in Dr. Gordon Hubbell's collection, this piece reflects exactly the kind of scientifically grounded, geographically precise material he was known for seeking out. Common but little-known, this inshore reef shark inhabits crevices and holes on coral reefs FishBase — making jaw specimens with verified collection data genuinely hard to come by.

 Species & Classification

• Scientific Name: Atelomycterus marmoratus (Bennett, 1830)
• Common Names: Coral Catshark, Marbled Catshark
• Family: Atelomycteridae (Coloured Catsharks)
• Order: Carcharhiniformes
• Locality: Singapore
• Etymology: marmoratus is Latin for "marbled," referring to the white blotches over large black spots and bars FishBase

Biology & Physical Characteristics

• Extremely slender body with a short head and tail; two dorsal fins angled backwards Wikipedia
• Light grey and white spots outlined by large black spots, bars and lines Shark-References; fins typically bear bold white tips
• Can be identified by numerous black and white spots that often merge to form horizontal bars Wikipedia
• Maximum length up to 70 cm (28 in) Wikipedia
• Possesses specialized chromatophore cells allowing color adjustment to blend with coral reef surroundings MarineBio
• Adult males have distinctively long, thin claspers Wikipedia
• Maturity reached at approximately 49 cm FishBase

 Habitat & Distribution

• Common on shallow coral reefs across the Indo-West Pacific, from Pakistan to New Guinea Wikipedia
• Range includes Pakistan, India, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, New Guinea, Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines, southern China, and Taiwan Shark-References
• The most widely distributed member of its genus Wikipedia
• Inhabits inshore coral reefs at depths not exceeding 15 m Wikipedia
• Its slender form allows it to access tight spaces on the reef Wikipedia

 Behavior & Diet

• Reclusive and inactive during the day; actively forages at dusk and night for small bottom-living invertebrates and bony fishes Wikipedia
• Feeds on molluscs, crustaceans, and small fishes; uses its eel-like body to wriggle into small reef openings Sharks and Rays
• Also uses color patterns for social communication during courtship and territorial disputes MarineBio

 Reproduction

• Oviparous, with single egg cases laid per oviduct; embryos feed solely on yolk Shark-References
• Females lay purse-shaped egg capsules two at a time, deposited on the seafloor rather than attached to vertical structures Wikipedia
• Eggs hatch in 4–6 months at 26°C; newly hatched sharks measure 10–13 cm and display contrasting light and dark vertical bars that fade to adult coloration by 3 months Wikipedia

 Conservation Status

• Listed as Near Threatened (NT) by the IUCN (assessed May 2020) FishBase
• A bycatch species in demersal trawl, longline, and gillnet fisheries throughout its range; retained for human consumption Sharks and Rays
• Habitat destruction and increasing fishing pressure represent significant threats Sharkwater

 Misc. & Collector Facts

• Singapore locality data is scientifically notable — Singapore is specifically within the species' documented Indo-West Pacific coastal range MarineBio, and Singaporean specimens in private collections are uncommon
• One of the few shark species kept in the aquarium trade, popular for its striking coloration and manageable size AquariumDomain
• The jaw's distinctive tooth structure — small teeth suited for crushing reef invertebrates — is characteristic of the genus
• Dr. Gordon Hubbell provenance adds significant authentication and collectibility value
• Ideal for: reef shark collectors, Indo-Pacific specimen enthusiasts, marine biology educators, natural history displays