Scylliogaleus quecketti (Flapnose houndshark)

Boulenger, 1902

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

Scylliogaleus quecketti (Flapnose houndshark) [Illustration by Ann Hecht ©]

Identification

A blunt-nosed houndshark with large fused nasal flaps similar to those of shysharks (pp. 48-49), small, blunt, pebble-like teeth, and 2nd dorsal fin as large as 1st. Colour gray above, cream below, newborn with white rear edges on dorsal, anal and caudal fin.

Size

To 1 m TL.

Range

East coast from East London to central Natal. Endemic.

Habitat

Coastal in warm-temperate to sub-tropical waters, surfline to close offshore.

Biology

Common off Natal. Live bearing, with litters of 2 to 4 young. Feeds primarily on crustaceans and squid.

Human Impact

Often caught by rock and surf anglers, but little utilized.

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