Blackmouth catshark (Galeus melastomus) fish species and Blackmouth catshark information

Scientific Name
Galeus melastomus

Common Name
Blackmouth catshark

Biology
Depth range is reported at 55m-1200m in Ref. 9996. Found on the outer continental shelves and upper slopes. Feeds mainly on bottom invertebrates, including shrimps and cephalopods, but also on small pelagic bony fishes (lanternfishes) and other small elasmobranchs. Oviparous, with up to 13 eggs present in the oviducts at one time. Utilized fresh and dried-salted for human consumption, and for leather.

Classification

Classified By

Rafinesque, 1810

Class

Sharks and Rays (Elasmobranchii)

Order

Ground sharks (Carcharhiniformes)

Family

Cat sharks (Scyliorhinidae)

Distribution

Region

Northeast Atlantic

Distribution

Northeast Atlantic: Faeroe Islands and Trondheim, Norway southward to Senegal. Mediterranean Sea.

Range

64°N - 14°N, 19°W - 36°E

Environment

Climate

Deep-water

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

Unknown °C

Depth From - meters

55 m

Depth To - meters

1873 m

Zone

demersal

Environment

Marine; demersal; depth range 55 - 1873 m (Ref. 55744), usually 150 - 1200 m (Ref. 35388)

Trophic Level

4.23 s.e. 0.58 Based on diet studies.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

True

Occurs in Brackish water

False

Occurs in Fresh Water

False

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

75.0 cm

Common Length

50.0 cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.5000 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: minor commercial

Vulnerability

Moderate to high vulnerability (47 of 100)

Resilience

Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (Fec assumed to be

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Least Concern (LC)

Blackmouth catshark (Galeus melastomus) fish species and information / pictures of Blackmouth catshark - Galeus melastomus

Blackmouth catshark (Galeus melastomus) fish species information

Classification

Distribution

Environment

Physical Size and Genetics

Human Uses and Population