Latin name

Mustelus mosis

Other name

Mustelus mosis

Identification

The Arabian smooth-hound has a short head and a rather slender body. The distance from the tip of the snout to the base of the pectoral fins is between 17% and 22% of the total body length. The snout is slightly elongated. The large oval eyes are horizontally elongated. Lip furrows are present at the corners of the mouth. The upper furrows are approximately equal in length to the lower furrows. The mouth is rather long, longer than the eye, accounting for 2.7-3.8% of body length. The teeth are blunt and flat, asymmetrical, with a small central tip. The anterior part of the inner surface of the mouth and the bottom of the oral cavity are covered with cheek and pharyngeal teeth. Distance between dorsal fins is 20-23% of body length. 

Features of fish fins

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Anal spines: 0.

Pectoral fins are of medium size, the length of the anterior margin is 13-15% and the length of the posterior margin is 9.8-13% of the total length. The length of the anterior edge of the pelvic fins is 6.5-7.9% of the total body length. The height of the anal fin is 2.9-4.7% of the total length. The first dorsal fin is triangular in shape and larger than the second. Its base is located between the bases of the pectoral and ventral fins. The base of the second dorsal fin is in front of the base of the anal fin. The anal fin is smaller than either dorsal fin. There is a ventral notch near the edge of the upper lobe of the caudal fin. The caudal fin is almost horizontally elongated and its length is 7.1-9.1% of the body length. 

Fish colouring

The Arabian smooth-hound is gray or gray-brown without markings. The belly is pale.

Distribution

Widespread in the Red Sea, Persian Gulf, off the coasts of India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, and off the coast of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. 

Habitat

Tropical marine bottom dweller. Occurs at depths from 20 to 250 meters.

Size

The maximum length of males of this species was 150 cm.

Behavior

Inhabits continental waters, both offshore and inshore. Occasionally found on coral reefs.

Food and feeding habits

The diet of the Arabian smooth-hound consists mainly of small bony fish, mollusks, and crustaceans.

Reproduction

Reproduce by live birth. There are 6 to 10 newborns per litter. Males reach sexual maturity at a length of 63-67 cm, with an average length of 106 cm. The size of an adult female is 82 cm. Newborn cubs are 26-28 cm in length. 

Fishing

They are harvested using bottom trawls, bottom and floating gill nets, and longlines. 

Relationship with a person

This species of shark is not dangerous to humans. Its meat is eaten in India and Pakistan. These sharks are easy to live with in captivity.