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Banded Wobbegong
Orectolobus ornatus (De Vis, 1883)
A Banded Wobbegong at North West Solitary Island, New South Wales.
The characteristic spotted-edged fins of the Banded Wobbegong are visible in this image. The two dorsal fins and the anal fin are all situated in the posterior part of the fish. The two large, similar-sized, triangular dorsal fins are clearly visible in the lower left of the image. The rounded anal fin can be seen below the caudal fin at the bottom centre of the image. The anal fin almost looks like a lower caudal fin lobe. The right pelvic fin is visible on the belly-side of the fish just above the first dorsal fin.
The intricate colour pattern of the Banded Wobbegong helps to break up the fish's outline. Even when illuminated by a flash as in the image, the mottled pattern on the tail helps camouflage the fish against the sand and algae covered bottom.
This 1.2m long Banded Wobbegong was photographed at North West Solitary Island, New South Wales. The photographer was struck by its unusual posture, resting with the front half of the body raised vertically off the bottom against a sponge.
