Common smooth-hound (Mustelus mustelus)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Mustelus mustelus
- Common name
- Common smooth-hound
- Category
- Fish
- Family
- Triakidae
- Genus
- Mustelus
- Size
- 100–200 cm
- Depth
- 5–350 m
- IUCN status
- Endangered (EN)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- sand, rocky
- Behaviours
- nocturnal, benthic, schooling
- Ocean zones
- East Atlantic, Macaronesia, Mediterranean
Description
Mustelus mustelus reaches 2 m. Small shark with a uniformly grey body, pointed snout, eyes with horizontal pupils. Mosaic teeth adapted for crushing crustaceans and mollusks rather than slicing. Aplacental viviparous. Frequents coastal sandy bottoms from 5 to 350 m. Heavy overfishing in the Mediterranean, classified Endangered by IUCN. Harmless to divers.
Photo of Common smooth-hound
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Common smooth-hound?
- Common smooth-hound (Mustelus mustelus) reaches 100–200 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Common smooth-hound?
- Common smooth-hound is found between 5–350 m deep.
- Is the Common smooth-hound dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Common smooth-hound?
- IUCN status: Endangered (EN).
- Where can you find the Common smooth-hound?
- Found in: East Atlantic, Macaronesia, Mediterranean.
Other species in the genus Mustelus
- Mustelus asterias - Starry smooth-hound
- Mustelus henlei - Brown smooth-hound
- Mustelus punctulatus - Blackspotted Smooth-Hound
Other species in the family Triakidae
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 105822)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 2418313)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia