Halaelurus lineatus (Lined Catshark)

(Springer & D'Aubrey, 1972)

 Life > Eukaryotes > Opisthokonta > Metazoa (animals) > Bilateria > Deuterostomia > Chordata > Craniata > Vertebrata (vertebrates)  > Gnathostomata (jawed vertebrates) >.Chondrichthyes > Elasmobranchii > Galeomorphii > Carcharhiniformes > Scyliorhinidae

Halaelurus lineatus (Lined Catshark) [Illustration by Ann Hecht ©]]

Identification

A catshark with an upturned knob on the snout, a narrow head, and numerous small dark spots on the body. Colour pale brown with numerous pairs of narrow, vertical, dark brown stripes outlining obscure dusky saddles.

Size

To 56 cm TL.

Range

South-east and east coast from East London to Mozambique. Endemic

Habitat

Warm- temperate and subtropical waters; shelf and uppermost slope on soft bottoms, from close inshore at the surfline to 290 m deep.

Biology

Common off Natal. Feeds on small crustaceans, bony fish and cephalopods. Probably lays eggs, with up to 8 egg cases per oviduct; eggs retained until embryos reach advanced stage of development.

Human Impact

Often caught by shore anglers.

Text by Leonard J.V. Compagno, David A. Ebert and Malcolm J. Smale