Sharks

Smallspotted Catshark

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Identity card

Smallspotted Catshark

Scientific name:: Scyliorhinus canicula

Family:: Scyliorhinidae

Class:: Chondrichthyes

Phylum:: Chordata

Year of description:: Linnaeus, 1758

IUCN Status:: Least Concern

CITES-status:: Not Evaluated

Distribution:: In the waters of the Eastern Atlantic, in the Mediterranean and Adriatic seas.

Habitat:: It lives on sandy, gravel or muddy bottoms at depths of 10 to 400 metres.

Size:: It measures between 50 and 70 cm on average.

Diet:: Gastropod molluscs, cephalopods, crustaceans, worms and small fish.

Longevity:: 12 years

The keepers collect the eggs of small-spotted catsharks and place them in the nursery aquarium.

The small-spotted catshark reaches sexual maturity at around 5 years. It is oviparous and lays eggs every year at varying intervals depending on the region. The eggs have long filaments that attach themselves to seaweed and rocks. The incubation period depends on the temperature of the water.

Did you know?

Biomimetics: the shark has inspired the creation of some innovative technologies. Its skin has been used as a model for creating antibacterial, hydro/aerodynamic and antifouling clothing; its fins have helped to improve the stability of airplanes thanks to “sharklets” and the shape of its tail has served as inspiration for tidal steam generators.

Where is the animal to be found?

It lives on sandy, gravel or muddy bottoms at depths of 10 to 400 metres.

In the wild, it is often found in the waters of the Eastern Atlantic, from the south of Norway and the Shetland Islands as far as Senegal, and in the Mediterranean and Adriatic seas.

How can it be recognised?

The small spotted catshark, as its name suggests, is both small and spotted. It spends its days resting on sand banks. The small-spotted catshark hunts at night and has a very varied diet. It feeds on gastropod molluscs, cephalopods, crustaceans, worms and small fish.