Blackspotted Smooth-hound

About the Blackspotted Smooth-hound

The Black-spotted Smooth Hound, is often confused with the more common species Common Smooth Hound within its range. This shark is found in the Mediterranean Sea and off Western Sahara in the central Atlantic. Very little information about the population of this species is available due to the confusion with other Mustelus species but Blackspotted seems to be rare where the surveys have been taken.

It appears abundant on the coasts of Tunisia and Libya. It is taken as a bycatch like other mustelus sharks and is consumed for its meat.

They grow up to the size of 190 cm and are found on sandy and gravelly substrates and sea grass beds. They are viviparous, and males mature at 50-55cm and females approximately 60 cm. the size at birth is 31 cm.

Blackspotted Smooth Hound was recorded in only one out of the 6,336 hauls during northern Mediterranean Scientific Trawl (MEDITS) surveys in the years 1994-99. This species was also absent from the trawl surveys off the Balearic Islands in the year 1998 to 2001.

As the lack of data is available, it is assessed as Data Deficient but further investigation is a priority.

Do you have images or videos of Blackspotted Smooth-hounds?
Submit them to [email protected].