Starry Smoothhound Shark

Threat Level: low

Picture Coming Soon!

STARRY SMOOTHOUND SHARK

Scientific name...........Mustelus Asterias

Family name..............Triakidae

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The Starry Smoothound is a slender shark with two high dorsal fins, snout gradually rounded with elongate and prominent nasal flaps which are well separated from each other and the mouth. Their eyes are horizontally elongate with strong subocular ridges, spiracle rather prominent. Unfringed dorsal fin, first dorsal fin origin over pectoral inner margin, anal fin smaller than second dorsal, pectorals and pelvic fairly small.

SIZE

These sharks can reach a maximum length of 4.5 feet, but the average size is 3.2. At birth they measure 11.8 inches. Males mature at 2.5 feet, and females mature at 2.7 feet.

TEETH

Their teeth are small and molariform, arranged in pavement-like fashion.

COLOR

The starry smoothound has many white spots on a gray or gray-brown on the back and sides ( no dark spots or bars ) shading to white below.

FEEDING HABITS

Their diet consists primarily on crustaceans ( hermit and other crabs, lobsters and shrimps ).

BEHAVIOUR

Swims actively in captivity. May migrate inshore in summer.

HABITAT

Northeast Atlantic, North Sea to Canaries, Mediterranean, and Mauritania. They occur in continental and insular shelves, on or near sand and gravel, intertidal to 328.6 feet. These sharks are often found close inshore in littoral waters, in shallow bays or flats and off estuary mouths; also ranging far offshore over the shelf and are especially common on or near submerged banks.

REPRODUCTION

Starry smoothound sharks are ovoviviparous, no yolk-sac placenta, giving birth to 7 to 15 pups per litter, increasing with maternal size. Born inshore in summer after one year gestation. Mature at two to three years.

SHARK ATTACKS

No data found.

POPULATION REPORT

Common, fisheries bycatch with low market value. Taken by anglers, kept in aquaria.