Fin's Fish Guide
The Starry smooth-hound (Mustelus asterias) is a saltwater fish of the family Triakidae that grows up to 154 cm.
Northeast Atlantic, including the North Sea and the Mediterranean Sea, on sandy and gravel bottoms of the continental shelf.
Description
The starry smooth-hound is a slender shark of the family Triakidae reaching about 1.5 metres. The grey back is scattered with numerous small white stars, from which the species takes its name, and the belly is white. Unlike many sharks it has no sharp cutting teeth but flat, mosaic-like molars, with which it mainly crushes crabs and other crustaceans, supplemented with molluscs and small fish. The species lives on sand and gravel bottoms of the north-eastern Atlantic, the North Sea and the Mediterranean and moves in schools to shallower coastal waters in summer. It is viviparous and bears live young. The starry smooth-hound is harmless and a popular sport fish; due to fishing pressure it is assessed as Near Threatened (NT).
Frequently asked questions
How do you recognise the Starry smooth-hound?
The Starry smooth-hound has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a spots pattern. Slender shark with a grey back strewn with small white stars and flat, mosaic-like molars with which it crushes crabs; no sharp cutting teeth.
Where does the Starry smooth-hound live?
The Starry smooth-hound lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Northeast Atlantic, including the North Sea and the Mediterranean Sea, on sandy and gravel bottoms of the continental shelf.
How big does the Starry smooth-hound get?
The Starry smooth-hound grows to a maximum of about 154 cm.
Is the Starry smooth-hound dangerous to humans?
No, the Starry smooth-hound is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.
Is the Starry smooth-hound edible?
The Starry smooth-hound is rarely eaten.
More photos
Easily confused with
These species look like the Starry smooth-hound and live in the same waters.
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All data
Identification
Appearance
Habitat & distribution
Behaviour & biology
For anglers
Safety
Status & sources
Same genus Mustelus
More from the family Triakidae
Want the complete picture on the Starry smooth-hound?
Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Starry smooth-hound is one of 12,519 species in the app.