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Scyliorhinidae - Catsharks

Galeus melastomus

Classification

 Kingdom: Animalia
 Phylum: Chordata
 Subphylum: Vertebrata
 Class: Chondrichthyes
 Order: Carcharhiniformes
 Family: Scyliorhinidae

There over 100 species in of small sharks in this family. Catsharks are around 1-5 feet in length, but most species are around 3 feet long. They have long, cat-like eyes; two small dorsal fins set back on their bodies; and most species are patterned with stripes, spots, or patches. Most species of catshark lay their eggs in egg cases. Most species of catshark are found from the continental shelf to deep-water slope regions. Catsharks are found in all the world's oceans, except for the Antarctic. They eat small fish and invertebrates.

World Status Key
Least ConcernLeast Concern Near ThreatenedNear Threatened VulnerableVulnerable EndangeredEndangered Critically EndangeredCritically Endangered extinct in the wildExtinct in Wild extinctExtinct
Status taken from ICUN Redlist. If no status is listed, there is not enough data to establish status, or there is no status data for the species.

US Status Key
Threatened in US Threatened in US Threatened in New Hampshire Threatened in NH Endangered in US Endangered in US Endangered in NH Endangered in NH Introduced Introduced
Status taken from US Fish and Wildlife and NH Fish and Game

Location Key
Africa Africa antarctica Antarctic Asia Asia Australia Australia/Oceania Europe Europe North America North America South America South America New Hampshire Species NH Species
atlantic Ocean Atlantic Ocean Indian Ocean Mediterranian Mediterranean/Black Sea pacific ocean Pacific Ocean More InfoClick for More Info pictureClick for Image

New Hampshire Species

 

 North/Central American Species

Ghost Catshark - Apristurus manis Least Concern Africa North America Europe atlantic Ocean New Hampshire Species
 

Swell Shark - Cephaloscyllium ventriosum Least Concern North America pacific ocean image More Info
Lollipop Catshark - Cephalurus cephalus North America pacific ocean
Antilles Catshark - Galeus antillensis North America atlantic Ocean
Roughtail Catshark - Galeus arae Least Concern North America atlantic Ocean image
Longfin Sawtail Catshark - Galeus cadenati North America South America atlantic Ocean
Peppered Catshark - Galeus piperatus Least Concern North America pacific ocean
Galeus springeri North America atlantic Ocean
Campeche Catshark - Parmaturus campechiensis North America atlantic Ocean
Filetail Catshark - Parmaturus xaniurus North America pacific ocean More Info
Narrowtail Catshark - Schroederichthys maculatus Least Concern North America South America atlantic Ocean
Boa Catshark - Scyliorhinus boa Least Concern Asia North America South America atlantic Ocean
Whitesaddled Catshark - Scyliorhinus hesperius North America South America atlantic Ocean image
Blotched Catshark - Scyliorhinus meadi North America image
Chain Catshark - Scyliorhinus retifer Least Concern North America atlantic Ocean image More Info
Dwarf Catshark - Scyliorhinus torrei Least Concern North America atlantic Ocean

 North/Central American Species

 
Brown Catshark - Apristurus brunneus North America South America pacific ocean
Hoary Catshark - Apristurus canutus North America South America atlantic Ocean
Longnose Catshark - Apristurus kampae North America pacific ocean
Icelandic Catshark - Apristurus laurussonii North America Europe South America atlantic Ocean image
Black Roughscale Catshark - Apristurus melanoasper North America Europe atlantic Ocean
Largenose Catshark - Apristurus nasutus North America South America atlantic Ocean pacific ocean
Smallfin Catshark - Apristurus parvipinnis North America South America atlantic Ocean
Deepwater Catshark - Apristurus profundorum North America atlantic Ocean
Broadgill Catshark - Apristurus riveri North America South America atlantic Ocean
Spongehead Catshark - Apristurus spongiceps Asia North America pacific ocean image
Panama Ghost Catshark - Apristurus stenseni North America pacific ocean
 

Species Around the World

Whitish Catshark - Apristurus albisoma Near Threatened Australia pacific ocean
Roughskin Catshark - Apristurus ampliceps Australia pacific ocean
White Ghost Catshark - Apristurus aphyodes Europe atlantic Ocean
Pinocchio Catshark - Apristurus australis Australia pacific ocean
Bighead Catshark - Apristurus bucephalus Australia
Deepwater Catshark - Apristurus exsanguis Least Concern Australia pacific ocean
Stout Catshark - Apristurus fedorovi Asia pacific ocean
Humpback Catshark - Apristurus gibbosus Asia pacific ocean
Longfin Catshark - Apristurus herklotsi Asia pacific ocean
Smallbelly Catshark - Apristurus indicus Africa Asia atlantic Ocean
Shortnose Demon Catshark - Apristurus internatus Asia pacific ocean
Broadnose Catshark - Apristurus investigatoris
Japanese Catshark - Apristurus japonicus Asia pacific ocean
Longhead Catshark - Apristurus longicephalus Africa Asia Australia pacific ocean
Flathead Catshark - Apristurus macrorhynchus Asia pacific ocean
Broadmouth Catshark - Apristurus macrostomus Asia pacific ocean
Smalleye Catshark - Apristurus microps Least Concern Africa Europe atlantic Ocean
Smalldorsal Catshark - Apristurus micropterygeus Asia pacific ocean
Fat Catshark - Apristurus pinguis Asia pacific ocean
Spatulasnout Catshark - Apristurus platyrhynchus Asia pacific ocean
Saldanha Catshark - Apristurus saldanha Least Concern Africa atlantic Ocean
Pale Catshark Pale Catshark - Apristurus sibogae Asia pacific ocean
South China Catshark - Apristurus sinensis Asia pacific ocean
Australian Spotted Catshark - Asymbolus analis Australia pacific ocean
Blotched Catshark - Asymbolus funebris Australia
Starry Catshark - Asymbolus galacticus Least Concern Australia pacific ocean
Western Spotted Catshark - Asymbolus occiduus Least Concern Australia
Pale Spotted Catshark - Asymbolus pallidus Least Concern Australia pacific ocean
Dwarf Catshark - Asymbolus parvus Least Concern Australia
Orange Spotted Catshark - Asymbolus rubiginosus Least Concern Australia pacific ocean
Variegated Catshark - Asymbolus submaculatus Least Concern Australia
Gulf Catshark - Asymbolus vincenti Least Concern Australia
Bali Catshark - Atelomycterus baliensis Vulnerable Asia
Banded Catshark - Atelomycterus fasciatus Least Concern Australia pacific ocean
Australian Marbled Catshark - Atelomycterus macleayi Least Concern Australia pacific ocean
Coral Catshark - Atelomycterus marmoratus Near Threatened Asia Australia pacific ocean image More Info
Eastern Banded Catshark - Atelomycterus marnkalha Australia pacific ocean
New Caledonia Catshark - Aulohalaelurus kanakorum Vulnerable Australia pacific ocean
Black Spotted Catfish - Aulohalaelurus labiosus Least Concern Australia
Arabian Catshark - Bythaelurus alcockii
Dusky Catshark - Bythaelurus canescens South America pacific ocean
Broadhead Catshark - Bythaelurus clevai Africa
New Zealand Catshark - Bythaelurus dawsoni Australia pacific ocean
Bristly Catshark - Bythaelurus hispidus Asia
Spotless Catshark - Bythaelurus immaculatus Asia pacific ocean
Sombre Catshark - Bythaelurus incanus Australia
Brown Catshark - Bythaelurus lutarius Africa
Whitefin Swellshark - Cephaloscyllium albipinnum Near Threatened Australia pacific ocean
Cook's Swellshark - Cephaloscyllium cooki Asia Australia pacific ocean
Reticulated Swellshark - Cephaloscyllium fasciatum Asia pacific ocean
Reticulate Swellshark - Cephaloscyllium hiscosellum Least Concern Australia
Draughtboard Shark - Cephaloscyllium isabellum Least Concern Australia pacific ocean image
Australian Swell Shark - Cephaloscyllium laticeps Least Concern Australia pacific ocean image More Info
Spotted Swellshark - Cephaloscyllium maculatum Asia pacific ocean
Leopard-spotted Swellshark - Cephaloscyllium pardelotum Asia pacific ocean
Sarawak Pygmy Swell Shark - Cephaloscyllium sarawakensis Asia pacific ocean
Flagtail Swellshark - Cephaloscyllium signourum Australia pacific ocean
Indian Swellshark - Cephaloscyllium silasi Asia
Speckled Swellshark - Cephaloscyllium speccum Australia
Indian Swellshark - Cephaloscyllium sufflans Least Concern Africa
Japanese Swellshark - Cephaloscyllium umbratile Asia pacific ocean image
Saddled Swellshark - Cephaloscyllium variegatum Near Threatened Australia pacific ocean
Narrowbar Swellshark - Cephaloscyllium zebrum Australia pacific ocean
Australian Sawtail Shark - Figaro boardmani Least Concern Australia pacific ocean
Northern Sawtail Shark - Figaro striatus Australia pacific ocean
Atlantic Sawtail Catshark - Galeus atlanticus Near Threatened Africa Europe atlantic Ocean Mediterranian
Geko Catshark - Galeus eastmani Least Concern Asia pacific ocean
Slender Sawtail Shark - Galeus gracilis Australia pacific ocean
Longnose Sawtail Catshark - Galeus longirostris Asia pacific ocean
Blackmouth Catshark - Galeus melastomus Least Concern Africa Asia Europe atlantic Ocean Mediterranian image
Southern Sawtail Catshark - Galeus mincaronei Vulnerable South America atlantic Ocean
Mouse Catshark - Galeus murinus Least Concern Africa Europe atlantic Ocean
Broadfin Sawtail Catshark - Galeus nipponensis Asia pacific ocean
African Sawtail Catshark - Galeus polli Least Concern Africa atlantic Ocean
Phallic Catshark - Galeus priapus Least Concern Australia pacific ocean
Blacktip Sawtail Catshark - Galeus sauteri Asia pacific ocean
Dwarf Sawtail Catshark - Galeus schultzi Asia pacific ocean
Speckled Catshark - Halaelurus boesemani Africa
Blackspotted Catshark - Halaelurus buergeri Asia pacific ocean
Banded Catshark - Halaelurus lineatus Africa atlantic Ocean
Indonesian Speckled Catshark - Halaelurus maculosus Least Concern Asia pacific ocean
Tiger Catshark - Halaelurus natalensis Africa atlantic Ocean indian ocean image
Quagga Catshark - Halaelurus quagga Africa Asia
Rusty Catshark - Halaelurus sellus Least Concern Australia
Puffadder Shyshark - Haploblepharus edwardsii Near Threatened Africa atlantic Ocean image More Info
Brown Shyshark - Haploblepharus fuscus Vulnerable Africa atlantic Ocean image More Info
Haploblepharus kistnasamyi Critically Endangered Africa
Dark Shyshark - Haploblepharus pictus Least Concern Africa atlantic Ocean image More Info
Honeycomb Izak - Holohalaelurus favus Endangered Africa
Grinning Izak - Holohalaelurus grennian Africa
Tropical Izak Catshark - Holohalaelurus melanostigma Africa
Whitespotted Izak - Holohalaelurus punctatus Endangered Africa
Izak Catshark - Holohalaelurus regani Least Concern Africa atlantic Ocean
Parmaturus albimarginatus Australia pacific ocean
White-clasper Catshark - Parmaturus albipenis Australia pacific ocean
Beige Catshark - Parmaturus bigus Australia pacific ocean
Velvet Catshark - Parmaturus lanatus Asia pacific ocean
Mcmillan's Catshark - Parmaturus macmillani Africa Australia atlantic Ocean
Blackgill Catshark - Parmaturus melanobranchus Asia pacific ocean
Salamander Catshark - Parmaturus pilosus Asia pacific ocean
Onefin Catshark - Pentanchus profundicolus Asia pacific ocean
Pyjama Shark - Poroderma africanum Near Threatened Africa atlantic Ocean image More Info
Leopard Catshark - Poroderma pantherinum Africa atlantic Ocean image
Narrowmouth Catshark - Schroederichthys bivius South America atlantic Ocean pacific ocean
Chilean Catshark - Schroederichthys chilensis South America pacific ocean More Info
Lizard Catshark - Schroederichthys saurisqualus Vulnerable South America atlantic Ocean
Slender Catshark - Schroederichthys tenuis South America atlantic Ocean
Polkadot Catshark - Scyliorhinus besnardi South America atlantic Ocean
Small-spotted Catshark - Scyliorhinus canicula Least Concern Africa Asia Europe atlantic Ocean Mediterranian image More Info
Yellowspotted Catshark - Scyliorhinus capensis Near Threatened Africa atlantic Ocean
West African Catshark - Scyliorhinus cervigoni Africa atlantic Ocean
Comoro Catshark - Scyliorhinus comoroensis Africa
Freckled Catshark - Scyliorhinus haeckelii South America atlantic Ocean
Blotched Catshark - Scyliorhinus meadi atlantic Ocean
Nursehound - Scyliorhinus stellaris Near Threatened Africa Asia Europe atlantic Ocean Mediterranian image
Izu Catshark - Scyliorhinus tokubee Asia pacific ocean
Cloudy Catshark - Scyliorhinus torazame Least Concern Asia pacific ocean

Additional Information

Resource Key
profile Profile Photos Photos Video Video Audio Audio

Coral Catshark - Atelomycterus marmoratus profile Photos Video Near Threatened Asia Australia pacific ocean
The coral catshark is found in waters off of Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Australian Swell Shark - Cephaloscyllium laticeps profile Photos Least Concern Australia pacific ocean
The Australian swell shark is found in waters off of southern Australia.
Source: Australian Museum Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School Teacher Section:No

Australian Swell Shark - Cephaloscyllium laticeps profile Photos Least Concern Australia pacific ocean
The Australian swell shark lives along the continental shelf from shallow inshore waters out to depths of at least 2,133 feet
Source: Florida Museum of Natural History Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School Teacher Section:Yes

Swell Shark - Cephaloscyllium ventriosum profile Photos Least Concern North America pacific ocean
The swell shark is found along the Pacific coast from central California south to Mexico. It is also found off the coast of Chile.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School Teacher Section:Yes

Swell Shark - Cephaloscyllium ventriosum profile Photos Least Concern North America pacific ocean
When it is threatened by a predator, the swell shark swallows a large amount of water and swells its body to twice its normal size.
Source: Florida Museum of Natural History Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School Teacher Section:Yes

Puffadder Shyshark - Haploblepharus edwardsii profile Photos Near Threatened Africa atlantic Ocean
The puffadder shyshark is found in waters off of South Africa. It is also known as the happy Eddie.
Source: Florida Museum of Natural History Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School Teacher Section:Yes

Brown Shyshark - Haploblepharus fuscus profile Photos Vulnerable Africa atlantic Ocean
The brown shyshark is found in the waters off of South Africa.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School Teacher Section:Yes

Brown Shyshark - Haploblepharus fuscus profile Photos Vulnerable Africa atlantic Ocean
The brown shyshark is usually found shallow rocky intertidal zones at depths of up to 110 feet.
Source: Florida Museum of Natural History Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School Teacher Section:Yes

Dark Shyshark - Haploblepharus pictus profile Photos Least Concern Africa atlantic Ocean
The dark shyshark is found in waters off of South Africa and Namibia.
Source: Florida Museum of Natural History Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School Teacher Section:Yes

Filetail Catshark - Parmaturus xaniurus profile Photos North America pacific ocean
The filetail catshark is found on the Pacific Coast from central California Gulf of California.
Source: Florida Museum of Natural History Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School Teacher Section:Yes

Pyjama Shark - Poroderma africanum profile Photos Near Threatened Africa atlantic Ocean
The pyjama shark is found in the waters off of South Africa.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School Teacher Section:Yes

Pyjama Shark - Poroderma africanum profile Photos Near Threatened Africa atlantic Ocean
The pyjamas shark is nocturnal.
Source: Florida Museum of Natural History Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School Teacher Section:Yes

Chilean Catshark - Schroederichthys chilensis profile South America pacific ocean
The Chilean catshark is found in the waters from central Peru to southern Chile.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School Teacher Section:Yes

Small-spotted Catshark - Scyliorhinus canicula profile Photos Video Least Concern Africa Asia Europe atlantic Ocean Mediterranian
The small-spotted catshark is found in Atlantic Ocean from Norway to Morocco. It is also found in the Mediterranean.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School Teacher Section:Yes

Small-spotted Catshark - Scyliorhinus canicula profile Photos Video Least Concern Africa Asia Europe atlantic Ocean Mediterranian
The small-spotted catshark is nocturnal.
Source: Florida Museum of Natural History Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School Teacher Section:Yes

Chain Catshark - Scyliorhinus retifer profile Photos Least Concern North America atlantic Ocean
The chain catshark is found along the Atlantic coast from Massachusetts to Florida. It is also found in the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School Teacher Section:Yes

Chain Catshark - Scyliorhinus retifer profile Photos Least Concern North America atlantic Ocean
The chain catshark is often found living among man-made artifacts such as wires and cables.
Source: Florida Museum of Natural History Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School Teacher Section:Yes