Swellshark (Cephaloscyllium ventriosum) fish species and information / pictures of Swellshark - Cephaloscyllium ventriosum

Swellshark (Cephaloscyllium ventriosum) fish species information

Scientific Name
Cephaloscyllium ventriosum

Common Name
Swellshark

Biology
Found on the continental shelves and upper slopes from inshore to deeper waters. Prefers rocky, algal-covered areas of kelp beds. Nocturnal. Feeds on bony fishes, alive and dead, and probably crustaceans. Can inflate its stomach with water or air. Oviparous. Can live in tanks for several years and females can lay eggs in captivity. Occurs in aggregations while resting, sometimes piled one on top of the other. Sometimes caught by sport divers but not used.

Classification

Classified By

Garman, 1880

Class

Sharks and Rays (Elasmobranchii)

Order

Ground sharks (Carcharhiniformes)

Family

Cat sharks (Scyliorhinidae)

Distribution

Region

Eastern Pacific

Distribution

Eastern Pacific: central California, USA to the Gulf of California and southern Mexico; central Chile.

Range

40°N - 37°S, 126°W - 71°W

Environment

Climate

Subtropical

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

Unknown °C

Depth From - meters

Unknown m

Depth To - meters

457 m

Zone

demersal

Environment

Marine; demersal; depth range ? - 457 m (Ref. 244), usually 5 - 37 m (Ref. 244)

Trophic Level

3.86 s.e. 0.61 Based on food items.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

True

Occurs in Brackish water

False

Occurs in Fresh Water

False

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

True

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

100.0 cm

Common Length

Unknown 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: of no interest; gamefish: yes; aquarium: public aquariums

Vulnerability

Moderate to high vulnerability (49 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)