Squatina africana (African angelshark)

Regan, 1908

Life > Eukaryotes > Opisthokonta > Metazoa (animals) > Bilateria > Deuterostomia > Chordata > Craniata > Vertebrata (vertebrates)  > Gnathostomata (jawed vertebrates) > Chondrichthyes > Elasmobranchii > Squalomorphii > Squatiniformes > Squatinidae

Squatina africana (African angelshark) [Illustration by Ann Hecht ©]

Identification

An unique flattened bottom shark with large pectoral fins separated from the round head by notches. Colour brown above, with a reticulated pattern of light spots, white below.

Size

To 1 m.

Range

East coast from Port Alfred to Mozambique, possibly off Mossel Bay; also Madagascar and Tanzania.

Habitat

Shelf and uppermost slope, from surfline to 494 m deep, mostly between 60 and 300 m in depth.

Biology

Common off Natal, rare elsewhere. Bears 7 to 11 young. Eats bony fish, squid, and octopus.

Human Impact

Commonly taken by trawlers, the Natal shark nets and by surf anglers.

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