Blackmouth catshark (Galeus melastomus)

Scientific name: Galeus melastomus Rafinesque, 1810

Blackmouth catshark (Galeus melastomus)

The Blackmouth catshark (Galeus melastomus) is a marine fish of the family Scyliorhinidae. Native range: Northeast Atlantic, Faeroe Islands and Trondheim, Norway southward to Senegal. Mediterranean Sea.

Biology

Depth range is reported at 55m-1200m in. 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.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Galeus melastomus
Family
Scyliorhinidae (Cat sharks)
Order
Carcharhiniformes (Ground sharks)
Class
Elasmobranchii (Sharks and Rays)
Maximum length
75.0
Common length
50.0
Depth range
55–1873 m (180–6145 ft)
Environment
Marine; demersal; depth range 55 - 1873 m, usually 150 - 1200 m
Climate
Deep-water
Distribution
Northeast Atlantic: Faeroe Islands and Trondheim, Norway southward to Senegal. Mediterranean Sea.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Least Concern (LC)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Uses
Fisheries: minor commercial
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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