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 Concern  Near Threatened  Vulnerable  Endangered  Critically Endangered  Extinct in Wild  Extinct
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 NH  Endangered in US  Endangered in NH  Introduced
Status taken from US Fish and Wildlife and NH Fish and Game
Location Key
 Africa  Antarctic  Asia  Australia/Oceania  Europe  North America  South America  NH Species
 Atlantic Ocean  Indian Ocean  Mediterranean/Black Sea  Pacific Ocean  Click for More Info  Click for Image
Additional Information
Resource Key
 Profile  Photos  Video  Audio
Coral Catshark - Atelomycterus marmoratus
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 |
