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Slender smooth hound (Gollum attenuatus) — Pseudotriakidae

Slender smooth hound

Gollum attenuatus
LC · Least Concern

The Slender smooth hound (Gollum attenuatus) is a saltwater fish of the family Pseudotriakidae that grows up to 107 cm.

Length
107 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
120.0–660.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Southwest Pacific
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The slender smoothhound is a small deep-sea shark from the southwest Pacific, around New Zealand. The species grows to about 107 cm and has a very slender, greyish-brown body with large, slit-shaped eyes. As a near-bottom hunter it lives on the continental slope, between about 120 and 660 metres, and feeds on small fish, crustaceans and squid. It has an unusual reproduction in which the embryos feed on a yolk sac. The shark is harmless to humans. The IUCN assesses the species as Least Concern (LC).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Slender smooth hound?

The Slender smooth hound has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern. Very slender body with large slit-like eyes; near-bottom deep-sea shark

Where does the Slender smooth hound live?

The Slender smooth hound lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Southwest Pacific

How big does the Slender smooth hound get?

The Slender smooth hound grows to a maximum of about 107 cm.

Is the Slender smooth hound dangerous to humans?

No, the Slender smooth hound 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 Slender smooth hound edible?

The Slender smooth hound is not usually eaten.

More photos

Slender smooth hound (Gollum attenuatus) — Pseudotriakidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) jgrimshaw, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Slender smooth hound (Gollum attenuatus) — Pseudotriakidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Clinton Duffy, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Slender smooth hound (Gollum attenuatus) — Pseudotriakidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Clinton Duffy, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Slender smooth hound (Gollum attenuatus) — Pseudotriakidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) jgrimshaw, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Slender smooth hound verified
Scientific name
Gollum attenuatus
Family
Pseudotriakidae
Other names
Slender smoothhound; Slender smooth-hound verified

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
107.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Plain sourced
Tail shape
Crescent (lunate) 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
Min depth (m)
120.0 verified
Max depth (m)
660.0 verified
Natural range
Southwest 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
Near-bottom deep-sea shark; present year-round. sourced
Special features
Very slender body with large slit-like eyes; near-bottom deep-sea shark 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

More from the family Pseudotriakidae

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