Smooth-hound (Mustelus mustelus)

Scientific name: Mustelus mustelus Linnaeus, 1758

Smooth-hound (Mustelus mustelus)

The Smooth-hound (Mustelus mustelus) is a marine fish of the family Triakidae.

Biology

Found on the continental shelves and uppermost slopes, from the intertidal region to at least 350 m depth. Collected to depth of 624 m in the eastern Ionian Sea. Sometimes in midwater but prefers to swim near the bottom. Feeds mainly on crustaceans, but also cephalopods and bony fishes. Viviparous, with a yolk-sac placenta. Taken by shore and ski-boat anglers. Utilized for human consumption, oil, and fishmeal. Sexual maturity is reached at a length of 70-80 cm.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Mustelus mustelus
Family
Triakidae (Houndsharks)
Order
Carcharhiniformes (Ground sharks)
Class
Elasmobranchii (Sharks and Rays)
Maximum length
200
Common length
100.0
Depth range
5–624 m (16–2047 ft)
Environment
Marine; demersal; depth range 5 - 624 m, usually 5 - 50 m
Climate
Subtropical
Distribution
Eastern Atlantic: British Isles and France to South Africa, including the Mediterranean, Madeira and the Canary Islands. Often referred to as Mustelus canis which is restricted to the western Atlantic.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Vulnerable (VU) (A2bd+3bd+4bd)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Uses
Fisheries: highly commercial; gamefish: yes
Resilience
Very Low, minimum population doubling time more than 14 years (K=0.06-0.12; tm=6-15; tmax=24; 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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