| Family: |
Squatinidae (Angel sharks) |
| Max. size: |
84 cm TL (male/unsexed); 108 cm TL (female) |
| Environment: |
demersal; marine; depth range - 494 m |
| Distribution: |
Western Indian Ocean: tropical and warm temperate waters from Tanzania to the eastern Cape coast of South Africa. |
| Diagnosis: |
This medium-sized angel shark species (maximum size 122.0 or possibly 130.0 cm TL) posess the following characters: no median row of scute-like denticles on the trunk; anterior nasal flap has two lateral, elongate barbels and a medial rectangular barbel, the ventral margin of medial barbel is slightly fringed, but that of lateral barbels are almost smooth; posterior nasal flap without additional barblet; concave between eyes; pectoral-pelvic space 6.0-10.2% TL; pectoral-fin apex is angular; pelvic-fin free rear tips do not reach level of first dorsal-fin origin; tail moderately long, its length from cloaca 51.2-53.2% TL; pectoral fins are moderately long, length 31.8-35.6% TL; dorsal fins are not lobe-like; first dorsal-fin base is somewhat longer than second dorsal-fin base; caudal fin of adults with angular apices; monospondylous centra 46-49; diplosondylous precaudal centra 58-62; total precaudal centra 104-111; total vertebral centra 134-143; pectoral-fin skeleton is with propterygium articulating with three radials. Colouration: dorsal medium to dark brown, reddish-brown or grayish, with a variable pattern of numerous light and dark reddish spots and blotches, marbled with brownish reticulations and partially forming symmetrical dark bands or saddles (Ref. 128961). |
| Biology: |
Found on the continental shelf and uppermost slope, from the surf line close inshore to 494 m depth (Ref. 247). Feeds on bony fish, squid and octopus (Ref. 247). Ovoviviparous (Ref. 50449), with about 7 to 11 young in a litter (Ref. 247). Largest juvenile males measured with clearly immature claspers are 45.3 cm TL (ZMH 26100) and 50.3 cm TL (MNHN-IC-1987-1265) while the largest female examined is 94.0 cm TL (SAIAB 187381) and possibly an adult; while small female specimens of 29.3 cm TL (ZMMU P-14844), 30.9 cm TL (ZMH 123064), and 38.5 cm TL (MNHN-IC-1988-0359) mm TL are clearly juvenile (Ref. 128961). Sometimes caught by surf anglers (Ref. 6588). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Near Threatened (NT); Date assessed: 15 July 2017 (A2d) Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
traumatogenic |
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