Blacktip sawtail catshark

About the Blacktip sawtail catshark

The Blacktip Sawtail Catshark is a small species of ground shark found in and around Japan, the Philippines, Taiwan and China. It lives near the bottom, on soft sediments over the continental shelf and slope, at depths ranging from 60 to 600 m (197–1,969 ft).

Biology and Behaviour

Members of this species are usually brown and have black tips on the dorsal and caudal fins. Adults reach a maximum length of approximately 49.8 cm (19.6 in). Males reach sexual maturity at approximately 35 cm (13.8 in), while females mature at around 41 cm (16.1 in) and nine years of age.

They may form groups separated by sex, and females may gather in breeding aggregations.

Reproduction and Lifespan

Blacktip sawtail catsharks are known to be oviparous, with females laying pairs of egg cases throughout the year. The size at birth is estimated at about 7 cm (2.8 in). The frequency of their reproduction and exact annual reproductive output remain unknown. The eggs are purse-shaped, translucent, golden-brown capsules. The maximum recorded age is about 21 years.

Conservation

Because of its habitat, the Blacktip Sawtail Catshark is commonly caught as bycatch, mainly by demersal trawl fisheries. It is also caught occasionally by line fisheries, particularly in Taiwan and the Philippines.

The IUCN classifies the species as Least Concern because there is currently no clear evidence of a population decline. However, fishing pressure probably affect their numbers. Further monitoring is needed to assess its population status more accurately.

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