Latin name

Mustelus manazo

Other name

Mustelus manazo

Identification

The Starspotted Smoothhound has a short head and slender body. The distance from the tip of the snout to the base of the pectoral fins is between 17% and 21% of the total body length. The snout is elongated and blunt. The large oval eyes are horizontally elongated. Lip furrows are present at the corners of the mouth. The upper furrows are longer than the lower. The mouth is rather short, almost equal to the eye, its length is 2.5-3.7% of the body length. The blunt and flat teeth of these sharks are asymmetrical, with a small central point. The inner surface of the mouth is covered with cheek and pharyngeal teeth. 

Features of fish fins

The distance between the dorsal fins is 19-23% of the body length. Pectoral fins are of medium size, the length of the anterior margin is 11-15% and the length of the posterior margin is 7.5-14% of the total length. The length of the anterior edge of the pelvic fins is 5.4-8.2% of the total body length. The height of the anal fin is 2.2-3.4% of the total length. The first dorsal fin is 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 nearly horizontal. 

Fish colouring

The coloration of this species of shark is gray or gray-brown. The back is covered with white spots. The belly is pale.

Distribution

Widespread in the northwestern and western Pacific off southern Siberia (Russia), Japan, Korea, China, including Taiwan, and Vietnam. In the western Indian Ocean, these sharks have been found off the coast of Kenya. 

Habitat

Marine demersal species. Occurs in tropical and temperate waters on the continental shelf, at depths from 1 to 360 m.

Size

Males reach a length of 70.7-104 cm and live an average of 5-9 years, females 86.5-135 cm and 9-17 years. Maximum published weight: 5.7 kg.

Behavior

Occurs in the intertidal zone, on muddy and sandy bottoms, may also occur in semi-enclosed marine areas.

Food and feeding habits

The diet of sharks of this species consists mainly of crustaceans and bony fish.

Reproduction

Starspotted Smoothounds reproduce by placenta-free live birth. There are 1 to 22 newborns in a litter, with an average of 2 to 6. Pregnancy lasts 10-12 months. In the northern parts of their range, these sharks grow to larger sizes and live longer. Females and males reach sexual maturity at lengths of 59.2-97.4 cm and 54.7-92 cm, corresponding to ages of 3-7 years and 2-6 years, respectively. Mating occurs from May to June and births occur from April to July. 

Fishing

Starspotted Smoothhound is harvested using pelagic longlines. 

Relationship with a person

It is not dangerous to humans. The meat is eaten, and the liver of these sharks is also prized.