Sharptooth houndshark (Triakis megalopterus)

Scientific name: Triakis megalopterus Smith, 1839

Sharptooth houndshark (Triakis megalopterus)

The Sharptooth houndshark (Triakis megalopterus) is a marine fish of the family Triakidae. Native range: Southeast Atlantic, Namibia to Coffee Bay, South Africa.

Biology

Occurs off sandy beaches, rocky shores and in shallow bays. Feeds on crabs, lobsters, bony fish and small sharks. Ovoviviparous. Forms schools in summer. Hardy and keeps well in captivity. Commonly caught by rock and surf sports anglers but not eaten much. Meat is dried into shark 'biltong' or jerky which commands a relatively high price. Attains 160 cm, TL.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Triakis megalopterus
Family
Triakidae (Houndsharks)
Order
Carcharhiniformes (Ground sharks)
Class
Elasmobranchii (Sharks and Rays)
Maximum length
142
Depth range
50 m (164 ft)
Environment
Marine; demersal; depth range ? - 50 m
Climate
Subtropical
Distribution
Southeast Atlantic: Namibia to Coffee Bay, South Africa.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Near Threatened (NT)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Uses
Fisheries: minor commercial; gamefish: yes; aquarium: public aquariums
Resilience
Very Low, minimum population doubling time more than 14 years (Fec=6)

More other marine fish

See all other marine fish

Sources

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

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