Arabian Carpetshark

Photo: peterraskmoller · © all rights reserved

Endemic to the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman, this small benthic shark is perfectly camouflaged against the reef rubble and is frequently found walking on its pectoral fins across the substrate. It preys on small fish, crustaceans, and cephalopods in the reef's shallow upper sections and is sometimes encountered by snorkellers as well as divers. Its restricted range and susceptibility to habitat degradation make every sighting ecologically significant for regional baseline surveys.