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Freckled catshark (Scyliorhinus haeckelii) — Scyliorhinidae

Freckled catshark

Scyliorhinus haeckelii
DD · Data Deficient

The Freckled catshark (Scyliorhinus haeckelii) is a saltwater fish of the family Scyliorhinidae that grows up to 60 cm.

Length
60 cm
Water
Saltwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Western Atlantic, from Venezuela along Brazil to Argentina, on the continental shelf and the upper slope.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The freckled catshark is a small catshark (Scyliorhinidae) from coastal waters of the southwest Atlantic, from Venezuela to Argentina. The species grows to about 60 cm and has a slender, light-brown body with dark saddle blotches and numerous small freckles. As a bottom-dweller it lives on sand and mud bottoms of the continental shelf and hunts small fish, crustaceans and molluscs. It lays eggs in horny capsules. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Freckled catshark?

The Freckled catshark has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern. Small catshark with blotches and dark saddle blotches; lays amber-coloured egg cases in pairs.

Where does the Freckled catshark live?

The Freckled catshark lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Western Atlantic, from Venezuela along Brazil to Argentina, on the continental shelf and the upper slope.

How big does the Freckled catshark get?

The Freckled catshark grows to a maximum of about 60 cm. On average the species is around 25 cm.

Is the Freckled catshark dangerous to humans?

No, the Freckled catshark is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Freckled catshark edible?

The Freckled catshark is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Freckled catshark sourced
Scientific name
Scyliorhinus haeckelii
Family
Scyliorhinidae
Other names
Freckled catshark; Polkadot catshark; Freckled cat shark verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
60.0 verified
Average length (cm)
25.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
Western Atlantic, from Venezuela along Brazil to Argentina, on the continental shelf and the upper slope. sourced
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Squid and small bony fishes sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Nocturnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced
Seasonality
Oviparous; deposits egg capsules in pairs on the bottom all year round. sourced
Special features
Small catshark with blotches and dark saddle blotches; lays amber-coloured egg cases in pairs. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
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
None required: this species is harmless to humans. verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Scyliorhinus

More from the family Scyliorhinidae

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