| Photo |
Brown shyshark
No image of Brown shyshark found in the Shark Database
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| Range Map |
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| Systematics |
Phylum: Vertebates (Chordata)
Class: Carlilagenous Fishes (Chondrichthyes)
Order: Ground sharks (Carcharhiniformes)
Family: Catsharks (Scyliorhinidae)
Genus: Haploblepharus (Haploblepharus)
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| Name |
| Scientific: | Haploblepharus fuscus |
| German: | Brauner Katzenhai |
| English: | Brown shyshark |
| French: | Rousette brune |
| Spanish: | Alitan marron |
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| Appearance |
Typical "cat shark" appearance. Two equal-sized dorsal fins. Origin of first dorsal fin over the pelvic fin"s ends. Nostrils enlarged.
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| Coloration |
Uniformly brown with inconspicuously developed saddles and light ventral surface.
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| Distribution |
Western Indian Ocean: South Africa.
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| Biology |
A common species that lives preferably over stony bottoms. This particular species ( as well as a few others) are sometimes called "shy sharks" because they coil themselves and cover their eyes with their tails when caught.
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| Feeding |
Invertebrates (lobsters) and small fishes.
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| Size |
Average size between 50 cm and 60 cm, maximum total length up to 73 cm.
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| Reproduction |
Oviparous (egg laying). Males reach sexual maturity at about 65 cm, females between 60 cm and 70 cm.
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| Similar Species |
Some species with a similar appearance do exist and taxonomic features have to be used to cleary distinguish.
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| Endangerment |
Status in the IUCN
Red List(1994):
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| Main criterion: |
 LR/nt (Low Risk/Near Threatened (1994)) |
| Sub criterion: |
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| Trend: |
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| Danger to Humans |
Harmless.
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