Hemiscyllium henryi have an irregular shaped ocellus (typically a merged double-ocellus), surrounded by a poorly defined white halo marking in the middle of their side just behind their head.

[3][4] Hemiscyllium henryi are marine, reef-associated sharks that are typically found on coral reefs, rubble, or seagrass flats.

Hemiscyllium henryi can mostly be seen resting during the day as they are nocturnal and are occasionally observed slowly swimming or 'walking' with their pectoral and pelvic fins in search for food or shelter.

Hemiscyllids primarily consume crustaceans, cephalopods, shelled mollusks, and small bottom fish found along the sea floor and sheltered in table coral or other rocky features.

[4][5] The shark is named in honor of underwater photographer Wolcott Henry, who has supported Conservation International's marine initiatives, which includes the taxonomy of western New Guinea fishes.

[6] H. henryi have been observed and collected from western New Guinea (West Papua Province, Indonesia) in the southern Bird's Head region.