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DORIS recommends our site’s innovative, playful and interactive approach for taking your first steps in underwater biology.
DORIS is the reference website for underwater biology. It aims to record, illustrate and describe as many common and rare species as possible that can be seen while diving or along the shore in mainland and overseas French waters.
In Dive.Explo360: Mediterranean · Northeast Atlantic · Atlantic Ocean
Resting on the seabed during the day, the Small-spotted catshark often goes unnoticed among sand and gravel. At nightfall, this small spotted shark leaves its resting place to explore the seabed for crustaceans, molluscs and small fish.
Habitat
Sand, Gravel, Rocky habitat
Depth
1-400 m
Group
Benthic fish
Role
Apex predator
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WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE?
The Small-spotted catshark is a small shark with a long, flexible body. Its skin is beige to light brown, scattered with many distinct small dark spots. The belly is paler. Its head is rounded, with a mouth underneath and visible nostrils. Its eyes have a vertical pupil, typical of many species active at night.
WHERE DOES IT LIVE?
It lives on soft seabeds such as sand, mud or gravel, from the coast down to several hundred metres deep. During the day, it often rests on the bottom, sometimes motionless.
WHAT DOES IT EAT?
Mainly active at night, it hunts small fish, crustaceans, molluscs and worms that it detects on the seabed through its developed senses.
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After recognising a marine species, watch it in its environment in the diving videos. Articles and learning paths help you understand its habitat and its relationships with other organisms; games help you remember your discoveries.