Elasmobranchii (sharks and rays) >
Carcharhiniformes (Ground sharks) >
Triakidae (Houndsharks) > Triakinae
Etymology: Mustelus: Latin, mustela, -ae = weasel (Ref. 45335).
Environment / Climate / Range
Ecology
Marine; demersal; oceanodromous (Ref. 54100); depth range 0 - 860 m (Ref. 26346), usually 0 - 400 m (Ref. 89422). Subtropical, preferred 15°C (Ref. 107945); 34°S - 48°S
Southwest Pacific: Kermadec Islands (Ref. 8879) and New Zealand; reported from southern Australia (Ref. 9258).
Length at first maturity / Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm 92.0, range 79 - 100 cm
Max length : 125 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 9072); 151.0 cm TL (female); common length : 85.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 9258)
Found on the insular shelves, often close inshore (Ref. 244). Feeds on crustaceans, especially crabs (Ref. 244). Ovoviviparous (Ref. 50449). Makes seasonal inshore-offshore movements (Ref. 244). Makes extensive coastal migrations, with one tagged female moving at least 1160 km (Ref. 54100). Forms schools separated by size and sex (Ref. 244). Utilized fresh for human consumption (Ref. 244).
Ovoviviparous, embryos feed solely on yolk (Ref. 50449). With 2 to 37 young born at 20-32 cm (Ref. 26346).
Compagno, L.J.V., 1984. FAO Species Catalogue. Vol. 4. Sharks of the world. An annotated and illustrated catalogue of shark species known to date. Part 2 - Carcharhiniformes. FAO Fish. Synop. 125(4/2):251-655. Rome: FAO. (Ref. 244)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 115185)
CITES (Ref. 94142)
Not Evaluated
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Fisheries: commercial; gamefish: yes
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