Adults inhabit soft bottom (Ref. 42735, 75154) of the continental shelf (Ref. 75154). Maximum length is based on a straight-line length measurement from upper surface (ignoring spines) of first trunk ring, to tip of tail (Ref. 42735). Ovoviviparous (Ref. 205). The male carries the eggs in a brood pouch which is found under the tail (Ref. 205).

Australia and Papua New Guinea.

Western Central Pacific: northern Australia (including Dampier Archipelago, Western Australia) and southeastern Papua New Guinea. International trade is monitored through a licensing system (CITES II, since 5.15.04) and a minimum size of 10 cm applies. Formerly classified as vulnerable in the 2000 IUCN red list of threatened species (Ref. 36508).

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 15 - 18; Analspines: 0; Analsoft rays: 4

11.7 cm OT (male/unsexed; (Ref. 42735)); 13.6 cm OT (female)

Dorsal fin rays usually 17; trunk rings 11; tail rings 34-36; subdorsal spines 2-3/0-0.5,1,0-0.5, usually enlarged on 11th trunk ring; nose spine absent; spine above eye of moderate length, reaching pupil diameter; lateral head spine large, usually larger than spine above eye; coronet well developed, with 5-7 blunt spines, apex rough and rugose; upper shoulder-ring spine at gill opening; lower shoulder-ring spine low and thick, very broad when single or divided into two rounded tips; superior trunk and tail ridges with enlarged spines, forming laterally directed pairs at regular intervals with 2-3 on trunk and 3-4 on tail, greatly produced in young and least prominent in males; long and sometimes broad dermal flaps, often frilled along edges, on nape, lateral head spines, and enlarged body spines, usually attached posteriorly and just below tip; lateral line with pores on each trunk ring, running just above inferior ridge, continuing on tail to 12th-15th ring (Ref. 42735).

demersal; marine; depth range 10 - 80 m (Ref. 42735)

Depth range based on 1 specimen in 1 taxon.

Environmental ranges
  Depth range (m): 17 - 17
 
Note: this information has not been validated. Check this *note*. Your feedback is most welcome.

Male carries the eggs in a brood pouch (Ref. 205).

Data deficient (DD)