REPRODUCTIVE CYCLE

In NSW, brooding males were present for a period of more than 6 months, from June-July to early-January. The percentage of males that were pregnant in the studied areas peaked in November-December, near the end of the breeding season. Two pregnancies were reported for some males. The gestation periods observed were of 30 to 38 days.

Birth and recruitment occurs 3 months later in Tasmania (43º S, near Hobart) compared to NSW (34 ºS, near Sydney). In TAS, breeding seasons are shorter but gestation periods are longer.  In shallow waters of NSW and TAS, the eggs are frequently covered with algae.

See full gallery reproduction in NSW
See full gallery reproduction in TAS