Short-belly Catshark

About the Short-belly Catshark

The Shortbelly Catshark is a species of catshark member of the family Scyliorhinidae, found in the Gulf of Aden, Indian Ocean.

The Shortbelly Catshark is a small species distinguish for having greater nostrils length than internarial width and longer claspers in adult males. The maximum recorded size for this species is 48.5 cm/19.1 in TL. Males mature at about 44.4 – 48.5 cm (17.5 – 19.1 in) TL but no information regarding females maturity is available. This species is oviparous, meaning it lays eggs, but no information about litter size and the gestation period is available.

The Shortbelly Catshark is a pelagic-oceanic shark, known to occur at 1,000- 1,120 m (3,281 – 3,675 ft) depth. It is endemic to the Arabian Seas area and it is only known from 9 specimens caught in the Gulf of Aden.  

Currently, there are no conservation measures in place for this species.

Research is required on its biology, abundance and distribution to further assess status and any future conservation needs.

It is assessed as Least Concern due to its deep-water habitat and the lack of fisheries where it occurs. A reassessment may be required as more information is obtained on the full range of its occurrence in the region. No utilization or commercial trade of this species is currently known to exist.

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