Mustelus asterias Cloquet, 1819
Starry smooth-hound
Mustelus asterias
photo by Salesjö, A.

Family:  Triakidae (Houndsharks), subfamily: Triakinae
Max. size:  154 cm TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 4,760.0 g
Environment:  demersal; marine; depth range 0 - 350 m
Distribution:  Northeast Atlantic: British Isles and North Sea to Canary Islands, including the Mediterranean and Mauritania.
Diagnosis:   
Biology:  A common inshore and offshore shark found on the continental and insular shelves from the intertidal down to at least 100 m. Prefers sandy and gravelly bottom. Feeds primarily on crustaceans (crabs, hermit crabs, lobsters and slipper lobsters). Ovoviviparous (aplacental), with 7 to 15 young per litter. Size at birth about 30 cm. Utilized fresh and dried salted.
IUCN Red List Status: Near Threatened (NT); Date assessed: 04 August 2020 (A2d) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless
Country info:   
 


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