Blackspotted catshark facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Blackspotted catshark |
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| Conservation status | |
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| Genus: |
Halaelurus
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| Species: |
buergeri
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The blackspotted catshark (Halaelurus buergeri) is a type of catshark. It belongs to the family called Scyliorhinidae. You can find this shark in the waters near Japan, Korea, China, and Taiwan. They usually live at depths of 80 to 100 meters (about 260 to 330 feet). These sharks can grow up to 49 centimeters (about 19 inches) long.
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What Does It Look Like?
The blackspotted catshark has a body shape typical of catsharks. Its body is long and round, like a cylinder. It has two dorsal fins (fins on its back) that are about the same size. It also has a smaller anal fin (a fin on its underside).
This shark's skin is thick. It is usually a light beige or dark gray color. What makes it special are the dark spots that cover its whole body and fins. There are also darker areas on its sides, but these are not very noticeable.
Its head is rounded and has a small dip in it. The snout (the front part of its head) is short. This type of shark does not have barbels, which are whisker-like growths found on some sharks.
Where Do They Live?
The blackspotted catshark lives in the waters around Japan, China, Korea, Taiwan, and the Philippines. Their home is in the Pacific Ocean. You can find them as far south as Western Australia. In these areas, they are a common type of inshore catshark, meaning they live closer to the coast.
Some people thought they saw blackspotted catsharks in Northern Australia and Queensland. However, experts later found that these sightings were not correct.
Their Home and Habits
Blackspotted catsharks usually live on the continental shelf. This is the edge of a continent that is under the ocean. They are often found in waters up to 4 meters (about 13 feet) deep.
How They Have Babies
The blackspotted catshark is oviparous. This means they lay eggs. The eggs stay inside the mother until they are ready to hatch. A shark expert named Leonard Joseph Victor Compagno observed that female blackspotted catsharks can lay between 6 to 12 egg cases.
Are They Fished?
Currently, people do not specifically fish for blackspotted catsharks. However, they can sometimes be caught by accident. This happens during a type of fishing called demersal trawling, also known as bottom trawling. This method involves dragging a large net along the ocean floor.
The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species keeps track of animals that might be in danger. They have noted that the blackspotted catshark could be caught this way.
