Leopard shark (Triakis semifasciata)

Scientific name: Triakis semifasciata Girard, 1855

Leopard shark (Triakis semifasciata)

The Leopard shark (Triakis semifasciata) is a brackish-water fish of the family Triakidae. Native range: Eastern Pacific, Oregon, USA to the Gulf of California.

Biology

Found in shallow water from the intertidal to deeper waters, most commonly in enclosed muddy bays; including estuaries and lagoons (S. Wilson, pers. comm.). Prefer sandy areas, mud flats, and bottoms strewn with rocks near rocky reefs and kelp beds. Feed mainly on crabs, shrimps, bony fish, fish eggs, clam necks and innkeeper worms among a large variety of food in its diet. Form mixed schools. Ovoviviparous (aplacental), with 4 to 29 young in a litter. Utilized fresh or frozen for human consumption.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Triakis semifasciata
Family
Triakidae (Houndsharks)
Order
Carcharhiniformes (Ground sharks)
Class
Elasmobranchii (Sharks and Rays)
Maximum length
198
Common length
160
Depth range
91 m (299 ft)
Environment
Marine; brackish; demersal; depth range ? - 91 m, usually ? - 6 m
Climate
Subtropical
Distribution
Eastern Pacific: Oregon, USA to the Gulf of California.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Least Concern (LC)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Uses
Fisheries: commercial; gamefish: yes; aquarium: commercial
Resilience
Very Low, minimum population doubling time more than 14 years (K=0.07-0.09; tm=11-21; tmax=30; Fec=4-12)

More other freshwater fish

See all other freshwater fish

Sources

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

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