Smooth Hound Shark - Mustelus californicus - Grey Smooth Hound Shark

A Smooth Hound Shark moderately-sized, rather slender shark with two high dorsal fins; grey-brown with no prominent white spots on the dorsum. Snout gradually rounded with elongate and prominent nasal flaps which are well seperated from each other and the mouth; internasal distance more than 1.4 times nostril width; eyes large, horizontally elongate with strong subocular ridges; spiracle rather prominent.

Mouth triangular in shape, with teeth in both jaws low, small and molariform with weakly-developed cusps, arranged in a pavement-like fashion; labial furrows prominent and with uppers slightly longer than lowers. Buccopharyngeal denticles occur only on the tip of tongue and front of palate. First dorsal fin origin over pectoral free tip. Dorsal fins of similar shape; tall and broadly triangular, the second slightly smaller; interdorsal space 18 - 25% TL; pectoral fins broad with anterior margins measuring 13 - 17% TL; anal fin smaller than second dorsal. Caudal fin strongly asymmetrical and falcate in adults; ventral lobe only moderately developed; terminal lobe well-developed.

Colour mid-grey to grey-brown dorsally, shading to paler grey or white ventrally; no prominent white spots but sometimes with sporadic darker brown spots on dorsum.

The gray smoothhound lives in coastal waters, especially on shallow sandy bottoms and muddy bays. It reaches a maximum length of four feet and is very slender. The gray smoothhound is gray with mixtures of blue and brown in different places on its body.

This shark feeds on benthic (bottom-dwelling) prey such as worms, clams, crabs, shrimp, octopuses, and small fish. It has short, blunt teeth and small grinding plates that are well-adapted to feeding on shellfish.

Maximum Size: The Smooth Hound Shark grow to a maximum length of 20 inches, and mature at approximately 24.0 inches.

General Size: This fish is generally available from 6 to 14 inches.

Minimum Tank Size: The Smooth Hound Shark prefers a tank of at least 180 gallons with plenty of places to hide & swim.

Tank Conditions: The Smooth Hound Shark should ideally be kept in temperatures between 72 and 78 degrees Fahrenheit. A pH value of 8.1 or 8.4, and a specific gravity of 1.020 to 1.025 should be maintained. When kept with invertebrates, the specific gravity range should be 1.020 to 1.025, for the invertebrate species. In a fish only aquarium, the specific gravity should fall between 1.020 and 1.023.

Diet and Feeding: The Smooth Hound Shark are carnivorous and feed mainly on benthic invertebrates (worms, crabs, shrimp, and small shellfish), possibly also small fishes.

Breeding: The gray smoothhound is viviparous, which means it gives birth to live young, usually during spring. This shark is not considered dangerous to people, though any animal will bite if bothered. The gray smoothhound is also known as dogfish, paloma, sand shark, or gray shark.

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