Starspotted smooth-hound
📖 Overview
Found in the intertidal zone, on mud and sand bottom, down to a depth of at least 360 m . May also be found in semi-enclosed sea areas . Feeds mainly on bottom invertebrates, also bony fishes . Ovoviviparous . Caught regularly by demersal longliners operating both inshore and in deep-water. Utilized for human consumption .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Physical description for Starspotted smooth-hound is currently being compiled.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Starspotted smooth-hound is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
The star-spotted smooth-hound mainly feeds on benthic organisms. Most of its prey are crustaceans such as mantis shrimps, crabs, and shrimps. They also occasionally prey on annelids, brittle stars, cephalopods, shellfish, and small fishes. Some studies have pointed out that the stomach content weight of star-spotted smooth-hound in Tokyo Bay waters has a downward trend, which may be due to the decline in the benthic invertebrate populations on which they feed on.
🥚 Reproduction
Ovoviviparous, embryos feed solely on yolk , with 1 to 22young in a litter. Gestation period takes about 10 months or 11-12 months . Young born in spring. Distinct pairing with embrace .
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; demersal; depth range 0 - 360 m . Tropical; 45°N - 10°S Indian Ocean: Kenya.
🌿 Ecology
bottom invertebrates, also bony fishes (Ref
📐 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.
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Starspotted smooth-hound is an edible species."
- Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
- Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
- Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
- Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
- Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
- Cloudy or sunken eyes
- Strong fishy or ammonia odour
- Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
- Discoloured or dry flesh
⚡ Nutrition
Per 100g cooked - Source: USDA FoodData Central
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Protein | 21.1 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 84 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Starspotted smooth-hound has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🔬 Full Nutritional Profile
Per 100g - Raw, per 100g - Source: USDA FoodData Central templates (generic fish average)
📊 Population Dynamics
| Year | Region | Index | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - |
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | Japanese smooth hound · Star-spotted gummy shark · Star-spotted shark · Starspotted smooth-hound |
| 🌍CES | hladkoun manazo |
| 🇩🇪German | Sternenfleck-Glatthai · Sternflecken-Glatthai |
| 🇫🇷French | Emissole etoilée · Emissole etoilée, Emissole étoilée |
| 🇮🇹Italian | Palombo stellato giapponese |
| 🇯🇵Japanese | Hoshizame · ホシザメ |
| 🇳🇱Dutch | Stervlektoonhaai |
| 🇵🇹Portuguese | Cação-estrelado-japonês |
| 🇷🇺Russian | Азиатская кунья акула · Японская кунья акула |
| 🇪🇸Spanish | Musola celestial |
| 🌍THA | ปลาฉลามหมาจุดขาวใหญ่ |
| 🇨🇳Chinese | 平滑鮫 · 星貂鯊 · 沙條 · 白斑星鯊 · 花點母 |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 13 records indexed .
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