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Sharpnose smoothhound (Mustelus dorsalis) — Triakidae

Sharpnose smoothhound

Mustelus dorsalis
Family: Triakidae

The Sharpnose smoothhound (Mustelus dorsalis) is a saltwater fish of the family Triakidae that grows up to 64 cm.

Length
64 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
20–200 m
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
North America: Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and others
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The Sharpnose smoothhound is a houndshark (Triakidae) from coastal waters of the eastern Pacific, off Central and South America. The species grows to about 64 cm and has a slender, grey-brown, streamlined body with large oval eyes and flattened molars. As a bottom-oriented hunter it lives over sand and mud bottoms of the continental shelf and crushes crabs, crustaceans and molluscs. It bears live young. It is a food fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Sharpnose smoothhound?

The Sharpnose smoothhound has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Sharpnose smoothhound live?

The Sharpnose smoothhound lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. North America: Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and others

How big does the Sharpnose smoothhound get?

The Sharpnose smoothhound grows to a maximum of about 64 cm.

Is the Sharpnose smoothhound dangerous to humans?

No, the Sharpnose smoothhound 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 Sharpnose smoothhound edible?

Yes, the Sharpnose smoothhound is commonly eaten.

More photos

Sharpnose smoothhound (Mustelus dorsalis) — Triakidae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — Charles Henry Gilbert (Public domain)

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All data

Identification

English name
Sharpnose smoothhound sourced
Scientific name
Mustelus dorsalis
Family
Triakidae
Other names
Sharp-tooth smooth hound; Sharptooth smoothhound; Sharptooth smooth-hound; Sharptooth smoot-hound; Sharpnose smooth hound verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
64 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Crescent (lunate)

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
20 verified
Max depth (m)
200 verified
Natural range
North America: Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and others sourced
Origin
Native

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No
Reproduction
Separate sexes
Sexual dimorphism
No
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known.

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten
Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed.
Regulations source

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
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 Mustelus

More from the family Triakidae

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