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Speckled catshark (Halaelurus boesemani) — Scyliorhinidae

Speckled catshark

Halaelurus boesemani

The Speckled catshark (Halaelurus boesemani) is a saltwater fish of the family Scyliorhinidae that grows up to 48 cm.

Length
48 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
37.0–250.0 m
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

Boeseman's speckled catshark is a small catshark (Scyliorhinidae) from coastal waters of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 48 cm and has a slender, yellow-brown body densely scattered with small dark spots, and a slightly upturned snout. As a bottom-dweller it lives on sand and reef bottoms of shallow to deeper coastal water 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 Speckled catshark?

The Speckled catshark has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Speckled catshark live?

The Speckled catshark lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Speckled catshark get?

The Speckled catshark grows to a maximum of about 48 cm.

Is the Speckled catshark dangerous to humans?

No, the Speckled catshark is harmless to humans.

Is the Speckled catshark edible?

Yes, the Speckled catshark is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Boesemans kathaai sourced
English name
Speckled catshark sourced
Scientific name
Halaelurus boesemani
Family
Scyliorhinidae
Other names
Speckled cat shark; Speckled catshark verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
48.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
37.0 verified
Max depth (m)
250.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Halaelurus

More from the family Scyliorhinidae

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