Striped catshark (Poroderma africanum)

Scientific name: Poroderma africanum Gmelin, 1789

Striped catshark (Poroderma africanum)

The Striped catshark (Poroderma africanum) is a marine fish of the family Scyliorhinidae. Native range: Southeast Atlantic, endemic to South Africa. There are old records from Madagascar and Mauritius, but these require confirmation.

Biology

Occurs in the continental shelf, both inshore and offshore. Prefers rocky reefs from the intertidal zone down to 100 m depth. Nocturnal, often found in caves and crevices during the day. Feeds mainly on crustaceans, but also bony fish and cephalopods. Oviparous. Readily kept in captivity.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Poroderma africanum
Family
Scyliorhinidae (Cat sharks)
Order
Carcharhiniformes (Ground sharks)
Class
Elasmobranchii (Sharks and Rays)
Maximum length
101
Depth range
100 m (328 ft)
Environment
Marine; demersal; depth range ? - 100 m
Climate
Subtropical
Distribution
Southeast Atlantic: endemic to South Africa. There are old records from Madagascar and Mauritius, but these require confirmation.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Near Threatened (NT)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Uses
Fisheries: subsistence fisheries; gamefish: yes
Resilience
Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (Fec assumed to be

Sources

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

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