Balloon shark (Cephaloscyllium sufflans) fish species and information / pictures of Balloon shark - Cephaloscyllium sufflans

Balloon shark (Cephaloscyllium sufflans) fish species information

Scientific Name
Cephaloscyllium sufflans

Common Name
Balloon shark

Biology
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 0; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 0. A comparatively large, stout catshark with a broad, rounded snout and no labial furrows; 2nd dorsal much smaller than 1st (Ref. 5578). Pale grey-brown, paler below; juveniles with about 6 slightly darker saddles on the dorsal side which fade and become unmarked in adults (Ref. 5510).

Classification

Classified By

Regan, 1921

Class

Sharks and Rays (Elasmobranchii)

Order

Ground sharks (Carcharhiniformes)

Family

Cat sharks (Scyliorhinidae)

Distribution

Region

Western Indian Ocean

Distribution

Western Indian Ocean: Mozambique and Natal, South Africa (Ref. 244). Records from the Gulf of Aden are doubtful. Nominal records from Viet Nam were based on an undescribed species often called Cephaloscyllium umbratile which was not even that species.

Range

19°S - 28°S

Environment

Climate

Tropical

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

Unknown °C

Depth From - meters

40 m

Depth To - meters

600 m

Zone

demersal

Environment

Marine; demersal; depth range 40 - 600 m (Ref. 5578)

Trophic Level

4.24 s.e. 0.61 Based on food items.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

True

Occurs in Brackish water

False

Occurs in Fresh Water

False

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

110 cm

Common Length

Unknown 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: of no interest

Vulnerability

Moderate to high vulnerability (51 of 100)

Resilience

Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (Fec assumed to be

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Least Concern (LC)