Pacific angelshark (Squatina californica)

Scientific name: Squatina californica Ayres, 1859

Pacific angelshark (Squatina californica)

The Pacific angelshark (Squatina californica) is a marine fish of the family Squatinidae. Native range: Eastern Pacific, southeastern Alaska to Gulf of California; Costa Rica to southern Chile.

Biology

Found on the continental shelf and littoral areas.A sluggish and inactive species that buries itself in sand or mud. Also found around rocks, heads of submarine canyons, and sometimes near kelp forests. Feeds on bottom and epibenthic fishes, including croakers, California halibut, and squid. Ovoviviparous. Can whip up its head and snap very quickly when touched, provoked, harassed, or speared, and can inflict painful lacerations.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Squatina californica
Family
Squatinidae (Angel sharks)
Order
Squatiniformes (Angel sharks)
Class
Elasmobranchii (Sharks and Rays)
Maximum length
152
Depth range
3–205 m (10–673 ft)
Environment
Marine; demersal; depth range 3 - 205 m, usually 3 - 46 m
Climate
Subtropical
Distribution
Eastern Pacific: southeastern Alaska to Gulf of California; Costa Rica to southern Chile.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Near Threatened (NT)
Threat to humans
Traumatogenic
Uses
Fisheries: commercial
Resilience
Very Low, minimum population doubling time more than 14 years (K=0.15-0.16; tm=8-13; tmax=35; Fec=6)

Sources

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

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