Whitespot Smoothhound

A smoothhound with lines or scatterings of small white spots along body (Ref. 5578). Grey above, white below (Ref. 5578).

Ovoviviparous, embryos feed solely on yolk (Ref. 50449). 3 to 8 young per litter. Born at around 25 cm. (Ref. 5485). Distinct pairing with embrace (Ref. 205).

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 0; Analspines: 0; Analsoft rays: 0

Feeds on fish, crustaceans and mollusks (Ref. 5578).

Found on the continental shelf and upper slope from the intertidal region to deeper waters over sand and gravel bottoms (Ref. 244). Feeds on crustaceans, octopi, bony fish, and fish offal (Ref. 5578). Ovoviviparous (Ref. 50449). Catch usually discarded but may be utilized in a local fishery that processes sharks into jerky (Ref. 244).

fisheries: minor commercial; gamefish: yes; price category: medium; price reliability: questionable: based on ex-vessel price for species in this genus

The whitespotted smooth-hound (Mustelus palumbes) is a houndshark of the family Triakidae. It is found on the continental shelves of the southeast Atlantic from Namibia around South Africa, between latitudes 17° S and 36° S, from the surface to a depth of 440 m. It can reach a length of 1.2 m. The reproduction of this houndshark is ovoviviparous.

Found on the continental shelf and upper slope from the intertidal region to deeper waters over sand and gravel bottoms. Feeds on crabs and probably benthic invertebrates. Ovoviviparous (aplacenta), with 3 to 8 young per litter; born at around 25 cm. (Ref. 5485). Processed for 'biltong', dried shark meat or jerky for human consumption.