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ALEXANDRE MEINESZ

Small-spotted catshark

Distribution : Mediterranean · 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 of Small-spotted catshark Habitat
Sand, Gravel, Rocky habitat
Depth range of Small-spotted catshark Depth
1-400 m
Biological group of Small-spotted catshark Group
Ecological role of Small-spotted catshark Role
Apex predator

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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Small-spotted catshark

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Other species — Benthic fish

Spotted ray Anglerfish Thornback ray Greater weever Striped Goby Marbled electric ray Red-mouthed Goby Large-scaled Goby

Same habitat and depth

Sandy seabed species Gravel seabed species Rocky seabed species

Same ecological role and depth

Apex predator species

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