Sicklefin weasel shark (Hemigaleus microstoma)

Scientific name: Hemigaleus microstoma Bleeker, 1852

Sicklefin weasel shark (Hemigaleus microstoma)

The Sicklefin weasel shark (Hemigaleus microstoma) is a marine fish of the family Hemigaleidae. In the aquarium it needs water at 22–28°C (72–82°F).

Sicklefin weasel shark care at a glance

Temperature
22–28°C (72–82°F)

Biology

A small, relatively common inshore and offshore shark of tropical continental seas. Feeds mainly on cephalopods, particularly octopi but also takes crustaceans and cephalopods. Viviparous. Taken regularly in inshore artisanal fisheries, commonly caught by inshore gillnet, bottom trawl and, to a lesser extent, longline fisheries. Utilized for human consumption. Offal used for fishmeal.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Hemigaleus microstoma
Family
Hemigaleidae (Weasel sharks)
Order
Carcharhiniformes (Ground sharks)
Class
Elasmobranchii (Sharks and Rays)
Maximum length
114
Environment
Marine; demersal
Climate
Tropical
Distribution
Indo-West Pacific: southern India and Sri Lanka; China to Indonesia. Recent study confirmed that those found in Australia (and probably Papua New Guinea) is a separate species, Hemigaleus australiensis.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Vulnerable (VU) (A2d+3d+4d)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Uses
Fisheries: minor commercial
Resilience
Very Low, minimum population doubling time more than 14 years (Fec=4)

Sources

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

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