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Banded houndshark (Triakis scyllium) — Triakidae

Banded houndshark

Triakis scyllium
Family: Triakidae

The Banded houndshark (Triakis scyllium) is a brackish-water fish of the family Triakidae that grows up to 150 cm.

Length
150 cm
Water
Brackish
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: China, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Japan, Korea (North), Korea (South), Russia
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The banded houndshark is a houndshark (Triakidae) from shallow coastal waters of the northwest Pacific, off East Asia. The species grows to about 1.5 metres and has a slender, grey body with dark saddle marks and spots, a blunt snout and small teeth. As a sluggish bottom-dweller it lives over sand and reef bottoms and in seagrass and hunts small fish, crustaceans and molluscs. This shy shark is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Banded houndshark?

The Banded houndshark has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Banded houndshark live?

The Banded houndshark lives in brackish water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Asia: China, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Japan, Korea (North), Korea (South), Russia

How big does the Banded houndshark get?

The Banded houndshark grows to a maximum of about 150 cm.

Is the Banded houndshark dangerous to humans?

No, the Banded houndshark is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Is the Banded houndshark edible?

Yes, the Banded houndshark is commonly eaten.

More photos

Banded houndshark (Triakis scyllium) — Triakidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Luis P. B., some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Banded houndshark (Triakis scyllium) — Triakidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) nishimotogoro, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Banded houndshark sourced
Scientific name
Triakis scyllium
Family
Triakidae

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
150.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
Asia: China, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Japan, Korea (North), Korea (South), Russia sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Triakis

More from the family Triakidae

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