Brown Smoothhound

Maximum longevity: 13 years (wild) Observations: Unverified estimates suggest these animals may live up to 15 years (http://www.fishbase.org/).

Viviparous with a yolk-sac placenta; with 3 to 5 young in a litter. Size at birth ranges from 19-21 cm (Ref. 244). Distinct pairing with embrace (Ref. 205). Polyandry is a common life history strategy among the elasmobranchs and for M. henlei, the occurrence and frequency of polyandric behavior may vary depending on location and density of breeding individuals (Ref. 95902).

Adults are found on the continental shelves from the intertidal region to at least 200 m depth. They feed on crabs, ghost shrimps, mantis shrimps, isopods, squids, polychaete worms, tunicates and small bony fishes. Viviparous (with a yolk-sac placenta), with 3 to 5 young in a litter. Size at birth between 19 and 21 cm. Readily kept in captivity. Utilized for human consumption. Marketed fresh, smoked and frozen (Ref. 9987).

fisheries: highly commercial; gamefish: yes; price category: low; price reliability: reliable: based on ex-vessel price for this species

The brown smooth-hound (Mustelus henlei) is a houndshark of the family Triakidae. It is found on the continental shelves of the subtropical eastern Pacific, from northern California to the Gulf of California, as well as Ecuador and Peru between latitudes 43° N and 18° S, from the surface to a depth of 200 m. It can grow up to a length of 1 m. The reproduction of this shark is viviparous.

Jaws

Upper teeth

Lower teeth