Smalleye smooth-hound (Mustelus higmani) fish species and information / pictures of Smalleye smooth-hound - Mustelus higmani

Smalleye smooth-hound (Mustelus higmani) fish species information

Scientific Name
Mustelus higmani

Common Name
Smalleye smooth-hound

Biology
Found on the continental shelf on muddy, sandy and calcareous bottoms. Also occurs in shallow brackish water. Feeds mainly on crustaceans and occasionally on bony fishes, squids, and coelenterates. Viviparous (with yolk-sac placenta), with 1 to 7 young per litter. Catches consisting of mainly adults of one sex suggest at least partial sexual segregation. Utilized for human consumption.

Classification

Classified By

Springer & Lowe, 1963

Class

Sharks and Rays (Elasmobranchii)

Order

Ground sharks (Carcharhiniformes)

Family

Houndsharks (Triakidae)

Distribution

Region

Western Atlantic

Distribution

Western Atlantic: northern coast of Venezuela southward to Brazil.

Range

11°N - 36°S

Environment

Climate

Deep-water

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

Unknown °C

Depth From - meters

Unknown m

Depth To - meters

900 m

Zone

demersal

Environment

Marine; brackish; demersal; depth range ? - 900 m (Ref. 55584)

Trophic Level

3.59 s.e. 0.51 Based on diet studies.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

True

Occurs in Brackish water

True

Occurs in Fresh Water

False

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

70.0 cm

Common Length

55.0 cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.5000 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: commercial

Vulnerability

Moderate vulnerability (42 of 100)

Resilience

Very Low, minimum population doubling time more than 14 years (Fec=1)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Least Concern (LC)