Whitespotted smooth-hound
📖 Overview
Found on the continental shelf and upper slope from the intertidal region to deeper waters over sand and gravel bottoms . Feeds on crustaceans, octopi, bony fish, and fish offal . Ovoviviparous . Catch usually discarded but may be utilized in a local fishery that processes sharks into jerky .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Anal spines: 0. A smoothhound with lines or scatterings of small white spots along body . Grey above, white below .: elongated.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Whitespotted smooth-hound is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
Ovoviviparous, embryos feed solely on yolk . 3 to 8 young per litter. Born at around 25 cm. . Distinct pairing with embrace .
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; demersal; depth range 0 - 443 m . Subtropical; 17°S - 36°S Southeast Atlantic: Namibia to central Natal, South Africa.
🌿 Ecology
crustaceans, octopi, bony fish, and fish offal (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.
📊 Population Dynamics
| Year | Region | Index | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - |
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | Whitespot Smoothhound · Whitespotted smooth-hound |
| 🌍AFR | Spierhaai |
| 🌍CES | hladkoun kapský |
| 🇩🇰Danish | Hvidplettet glathaj |
| 🇩🇪German | Weißgefleckter Glatthai |
| 🇫🇷French | Émissole palombe |
| 🇮🇹Italian | Palombo stellato sudafricano |
| 🇵🇹Portuguese | Cação-estrelado-sul-africano |
| 🇷🇺Russian | Капская кунья акула |
| 🇪🇸Spanish | Musola |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 7 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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