Grey smooth-hound (Mustelus californicus)

Scientific name: Mustelus californicus Gill, 1864

Grey smooth-hound (Mustelus californicus)

The Grey smooth-hound (Mustelus californicus) is a marine fish of the family Triakidae.

Biology

A common inshore and offshore shark found on the continental shelves, and entering shallow muddy bays. Feeds mostly on crabs, including cancrids and grapsids, ghost shrimp, innkeeper (echiuroid) worms (Urechis), and small fish (herring and midshipmen, Porichthys). Viviparous (with a yolk-sac placenta), with 2 to 5 young in a litter. Utilized for human consumption.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Mustelus californicus
Family
Triakidae (Houndsharks)
Order
Carcharhiniformes (Ground sharks)
Class
Elasmobranchii (Sharks and Rays)
Maximum length
116
Depth range
0–200 m (0–656 ft)
Environment
Marine; demersal; depth range 0 - 200 m, usually 2 - 46 m
Climate
Subtropical
Distribution
Eastern Pacific: northern California, USA to the Gulf of California. At the southern part of its range, this species is sympatric with Mustelus lunulatus, but the two are readily distinguishable.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Least Concern (LC)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Uses
Fisheries: commercial; gamefish: yes
Resilience
Very Low, minimum population doubling time more than 14 years (K=0.22-0.35; tm=1.3-2.1; tmax=12; Fec=2)

Sources

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

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