Observations on the diet and feeding habits of the epaulette shark, Hemiscyllium ocellatum (Bonnaterre), on Heron Island Reef, Great Barrier Reef, Australia

The diet and feeding habits of the epaulette shark, Hemiscyllium ocellatum, were investigated through stomach content analysis. Five groups of prey it ems were found. The index of relative importance showed worms and crabs,to be of greatest value at 51.3% and 40.1% respectively. The three minor prey groups were shrimps (7.7%), small fishes (0.7%) and amphipods (0.3%). Epaul ette sharks tend to be crepuscular, although feeding bouts may occur at any time. They appear to be opportunistic predators, using olfaction and elect roreception in prey capture. This species appears to be an important benthi c predator in the reef flat environment on Heron Island Reef.