Balloon shark (Cephaloscyllium sufflans)

Scientific name: Cephaloscyllium sufflans Regan, 1921

Balloon shark (Cephaloscyllium sufflans)

The Balloon shark (Cephaloscyllium sufflans) is a marine fish of the family Scyliorhinidae.

Biology

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 0; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 0. A comparatively large, stout catshark with a broad, rounded snout and no labial furrows; 2nd dorsal much smaller than 1st. Pale grey-brown, paler below; juveniles with about 6 slightly darker saddles on the dorsal side which fade and become unmarked in adults.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Cephaloscyllium sufflans
Family
Scyliorhinidae (Cat sharks)
Order
Carcharhiniformes (Ground sharks)
Class
Elasmobranchii (Sharks and Rays)
Maximum length
110
Depth range
40–600 m (131–1969 ft)
Environment
Marine; demersal; depth range 40 - 600 m
Climate
Tropical
Distribution
Western Indian Ocean: Mozambique and Natal, South Africa. Records from the Gulf of Aden are doubtful. Nominal records from Viet Nam were based on an undescribed species often called Cephaloscyllium umbratile which was not even that species.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Least Concern (LC)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Uses
Fisheries: of no interest
Resilience
Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (Fec assumed to be

Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

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