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Izak (Holohalaelurus regani) — Scyliorhinidae

Izak

Holohalaelurus regani
LC · Least Concern

The Izak (Holohalaelurus regani) is a saltwater fish of the family Scyliorhinidae that grows up to 69 cm.

Length
69 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0–1075.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Off the coast of southern Africa (southern Namibia to Durban); outer shelf and slope.
Edibility
Rarely eaten

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Description

The Izak catshark is a catshark (Scyliorhinidae) from the southwestern Indian Ocean off the coast of southern Africa. The species has a stocky body with a striking, dense network of dark spots and lines; adult males have coarser markings than females. It lives on or near the bottom of the outer continental shelf and upper slope. As a bottom predator it feeds on small fishes, crustaceans and squid. It reproduces with egg capsules. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Izak?

The Izak has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern. Dense network of dark blotches; oviparous bottom catshark of southern Africa.

Where does the Izak live?

The Izak lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Off the coast of southern Africa (southern Namibia to Durban); outer shelf and slope.

How big does the Izak get?

The Izak grows to a maximum of about 69 cm.

Is the Izak dangerous to humans?

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

Is the Izak edible?

The Izak is rarely eaten.

More photos

Izak (Holohalaelurus regani) — Scyliorhinidae — 2
SAIAB (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — SAIAB
Izak (Holohalaelurus regani) — Scyliorhinidae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — Hodgson, Edward Shilling; Mathewson, Robert F.; Naval Research Laboratory (U.S.).; United States. (Public domain)
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All data

Identification

English name
Izak verified
Scientific name
Holohalaelurus regani
Family
Scyliorhinidae
Other names
Izak; Izak cat shark; Izak catshark; Mottled dog-fish verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Max depth (m)
1075.0 verified
Natural range
Off the coast of southern Africa (southern Namibia to Durban); outer shelf and slope. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small fishes, crustaceans and squid sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Dense network of dark blotches; oviparous bottom catshark of southern Africa. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely 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
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

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

More from the family Scyliorhinidae

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