Jump to content

Sicklefin weasel shark: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Content deleted Content added
GrahamBould (talk | contribs)
First edition
(No difference)

Revision as of 17:11, 12 September 2006

Sicklefin weasel shark
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Phylum:
Class:
Subclass:
Superorder:
Order:
Family:
Genus:
Species:
H. microstoma
Binomial name
Hemigaleus microstoma
Bleeker, 1852

The sicklefin weasel shark, Hemigaleus microstoma, is a weasel shark of the family Hemigaleidae, found in the tropical Indo-West Pacific Oceans including southern India, Sri Lanka, and China to Indonesia, between latitudes 28° N and 30° S. Its length is up to 1.1 m.

The sicklefin weasel shark is a small, relatively common inshore and offshore shark of tropical continental seas, feeding mainly on cephalopods, particularly octopi, but also crustaceans. It is taken regularly in inshore artisanal fisheries and utilized for human consumption, the offal being used for fishmeal.

Coloration is grey-brown above, lighter below, dorsal fins with white tips and posterior margins, sometimes with spots on sides of the body. Australian specimens have dark-tipped fins, but Indonesian, Singapore and Thailand specimens with light-tipped fins.

Reproduction is viviparous.

References

  • Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.). "Hemigaleus microstoma". FishBase. may 2006 version.