A slender smoothhound shark. Short head with a moderately long snout. First dorsal fin broadly triangular. Moderately large pectoral fins. Large caudal peduncle.
Coloration
Iridescent bronze-brown upper body with white ventral surface. No white spots, or dark spots or dark bars.
Distribution
Cold temperate waters. Eastern Pacific: northern California, Equador to Peru.
Biology
Abundant inshore and offshore. Lives preferably close to bottom, down to a depth of 200 m but has been found at the surface too. Very often in muddy, shallow bays. Solitary or in schools.
Diet
Crabs, shrimps, polychaete worms and other invertebrates, small fishes.
Size
Small, average size between 50 cm and 70 cm, maximum total length about 95 cm.
Reproduction
Viviparous, with yolksac-placenta. 3 to 9 pups per litter. Size at birth about 20 cm. Males and females reach sexual maturity at a size between 50 cm and 65 cm.
Similar Species
Grey smooth-hound that has a much lighter color and is not iridescent bronze-brown. Sicklefin smooth-hound that has a lower caudal lobe that is sickel-shaped.
Vulnerability
Category:Least Concern (LC) Criteria: - Last evaluated:2016 Trend:
