Horn shark (Heterodontus francisci) fish species and Horn shark information

Scientific Name
Heterodontus francisci

Common Name
Horn shark

Biology
Sluggish, nocturnal, and mostly solitary species. Inhabit rocky bottoms, kelp beds, sandy draws between rocks, on sand flats, deep crevices and small caves and also large underwater caverns. Adults tend to return to the same resting place every day (Ref. 43278). Feed on benthic invertebrates, especially sea urchins, crabs and probably abalone, also fishes. Oviparous (Ref. 50449). May bite back when harassed. Has broad muscular paired fins used as limbs for clambering on the bottom. Catch reduced to fish meal; fin spines used in production of jewels.

Classification

Classified By

Girard, 1855

Class

Sharks and Rays (Elasmobranchii)

Order

Bullhead and Horn sharks (Heterodontiformes)

Family

Bullhead / horn / Port Jackson sharks (Heterodontidae)

Distribution

Region

Eastern Pacific

Distribution

Eastern Pacific: central California, USA to the Gulf of California, and probably Ecuador and Peru.

Range

37°N - 15°S, 124°W - 75°W

Environment

Climate

Subtropical

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

Unknown °C

Depth From - meters

2 m

Depth To - meters

150 m

Zone

demersal

Environment

Marine; demersal; depth range 2 - 150 m (Ref. 9253), usually 2 - 11 m (Ref. 9253)

Trophic Level

3.2 s.e. 0.43 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

True

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

122 cm

Common Length

97.0 cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.5059 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: minor commercial; aquarium: public aquariums

Vulnerability

High vulnerability (60 of 100)

Resilience

Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (Fec=20)

Threat To Humans

Traumatogenic (Ref. 247)

IUCN Red List Status

Data deficient (DD)

Horn shark (Heterodontus francisci) fish species and information / pictures of Horn shark - Heterodontus francisci

Horn shark (Heterodontus francisci) fish species information

Classification

Distribution

Environment

Physical Size and Genetics

Human Uses and Population