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Gecko cat shark (Galeus eastmani) — Scyliorhinidae

Gecko cat shark

Galeus eastmani
LC · Least Concern

The Gecko cat shark (Galeus eastmani) is a saltwater fish of the family Scyliorhinidae that grows up to 40 cm.

Length
40 cm
Water
Saltwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Northwest Pacific
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The gecko catshark is a small deep-sea catshark from the northwest Pacific, off Japan, Korea and China. The species grows to about 40 cm and has a slender, greyish-brown body with a row of dark saddle blotches and mottled markings, and a conspicuously serrated upper edge of the tail fin. As a bottom-dweller it lives on the continental slope and hunts small fish, crustaceans and squid. It lays horny egg capsules. The shark is harmless to humans. The IUCN assesses the species as Least Concern (LC).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Gecko cat shark?

The Gecko cat shark has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern. Dark saddle blotches and a serrated caudal fin margin; bottom-dwelling oviparous catshark

Where does the Gecko cat shark live?

The Gecko cat shark lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Northwest Pacific

How big does the Gecko cat shark get?

The Gecko cat shark grows to a maximum of about 40 cm.

Is the Gecko cat shark dangerous to humans?

No, the Gecko cat shark 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 Gecko cat shark edible?

The Gecko cat shark is not usually eaten.

More photos

Gecko cat shark (Galeus eastmani) — Scyliorhinidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) キクラゲ, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Gecko cat shark (Galeus eastmani) — Scyliorhinidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) キクラゲ, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Gecko cat shark (Galeus eastmani) — Scyliorhinidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) キクラゲ, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Gecko cat shark (Galeus eastmani) — Scyliorhinidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) キクラゲ, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Gecko cat shark verified
Scientific name
Galeus eastmani
Family
Scyliorhinidae
Other names
Gecko catshark verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
40.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Terminal 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
Northwest Pacific verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small fishes, crustaceans and squid inferred
Social behaviour
Solitary sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Nocturnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced
Seasonality
Bottom-dwelling deep-sea catshark; present year-round. sourced
Special features
Dark saddle blotches and a serrated caudal fin margin; bottom-dwelling oviparous catshark 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 sourced
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 Galeus

More from the family Scyliorhinidae

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