Grey smooth-hound (Mustelus californicus) fish species and information / pictures of Grey smooth-hound - Mustelus californicus

Grey smooth-hound (Mustelus californicus) fish species information

Scientific Name
Mustelus californicus

Common Name
Grey smooth-hound

Biology
A common inshore and offshore shark found on the continental shelves, and entering shallow muddy bays. Feeds mostly on crabs, including cancrids and grapsids, ghost shrimp, innkeeper (echiuroid) worms (Urechis), and small fish (herring and midshipmen, Porichthys). Viviparous (with a yolk-sac placenta), with 2 to 5 young in a litter. Utilized for human consumption.

Classification

Classified By

Gill, 1864

Class

Sharks and Rays (Elasmobranchii)

Order

Ground sharks (Carcharhiniformes)

Family

Houndsharks (Triakidae)

Distribution

Region

Eastern Pacific

Distribution

Eastern Pacific: northern California, USA to the Gulf of California. At the southern part of its range, this species is sympatric with Mustelus lunulatus, but the two are readily distinguishable.

Range

40°N - 23°N, 126°W - 109°W

Environment

Climate

Subtropical

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

Unknown °C

Depth From - meters

0 m

Depth To - meters

200 m

Zone

demersal

Environment

Marine; demersal; depth range 0 - 200 m (Ref. 55308), usually 2 - 46 m (Ref. 55308)

Trophic Level

3.52 s.e. 0.50 Based on diet studies.

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

116 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: commercial; gamefish: yes

Vulnerability

High vulnerability (61 of 100)

Resilience

Very Low, minimum population doubling time more than 14 years (K=0.22-0.35; tm=1.3-2.1; tmax=12; Fec=2)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Least Concern (LC)