Swellshark
📖 Overview
Found on the continental shelves and upper slopes from inshore to deeper waters. Prefers rocky, algal-covered areas of kelp beds. Nocturnal. Feeds on bony fishes, alive and dead, and probably crustaceans. Can inflate its stomach with water or air. Oviparous. Can live in tanks for several years and females can lay eggs in captivity. Occurs in aggregations while resting, sometimes piled one on top of the other. Sometimes caught by sport divers but not used.
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Physical description for Swellshark is currently being compiled.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Swellshark is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
Oviparous, paired eggs are laid. Embryos feed solely on yolk .
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; demersal; depth range 5 - 457 m , usually 5 - 37 m . Subtropical; 40°N - 37°S, 126°W - 71°W central California, USA to the Gulf of California and southern Mexico; central Chile.
🌿 Ecology
bony fishes, alive and dead, and probably crustaceans
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🎣 Angling Guide
- medium-heavy 7ft spinning rod
- 30-50 lb braid
- fluorocarbon leader
- grass flats
- oyster bars
- marsh drains
- deeper channel edges
Use barbless hooks, minimise air exposure, and revive fish head-first in current before release.
⚠️ Slot limits protect breeding-size fish. Verify daily bag limits.
📊 Population Dynamics
| Year | Region | Index | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - |
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | swell shark · Swellshark |
| 🌍CES | máčka kalifornská |
| 🇩🇪German | Gefleckter Schwellhai · Kalifornischer Schwellhai · Schwellhai |
| 🇫🇮Finnish | täpläpallohai |
| 🇫🇷French | Holbiche Ventrue |
| 🇮🇹Italian | Gattuccio elegante |
| 🇯🇵Japanese | アメリカナヌカザメ |
| 🇳🇱Dutch | Zwelhaai |
| 🇵🇹Portuguese | Tubarão-balão-do-Pacífico |
| 🇷🇺Russian | Калифорнийская кошачьеголовая акула · Калифорнийская раздувающаяся акула · Чилийская кошачьеголовая акула |
| 🇪🇸Spanish | Pejegato Hinchado · pejegato globo |
| 🇸🇪Swedish | Blåshaj |
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Catulus uter | Jordan & Gilbert | 1896 | Synonym |
| Cephaloscyllium uter | Jordan & Gilbert | 1896 | Synonym |
| Scyllium ventriosum | Garman | 1880 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 6 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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