Mustelus mosis (Arabian smoothhound)

Hemprich & Ehrenberg, 1899

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

Mustelus mosis (Arabian smoothhound) [Illustration by Ann Hecht ©]

Identification

A smoothhound with no spots and often a white-tipped 1st dorsal fin. Adults have a hard, bonelike growth imbedded in their snouts, lacking in other smoothhounds, that can be readily felt by pinching it. Colour uniform grey or grey-brown above, white below.

Size

To 1.5 m TL.

Range

East coast off Natal; also northern Indian Ocean.

Habitat

Inshore, often at the surf line off sandy beaches.

Biology

Bears 6 to 10 young, which have a placenta. Feeds mainly on crustaceans, mollusks, and small bottom fish.

Human Impact

Often caught by shore anglers.

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