Snout short and bluntly angular; mouth with long labial furrows of similar length; teeth flattened and smooth; caudal fin with semi-curved lower lobe; second dorsal fins and caudal fin sometimes with black tip.

Biology

Length: The Arabian smoothhound shark typically reaches a maximum length 150 cm, ranging fom 62-80 cm.

Gestation period: 10 to 12 months

Littter size: Viviparous, with 6 to 10 young in a litter

Life Expectancy: The life expectancy of the Arabian smoothhound shark in the wild is not well-documented.

Diet: The Arabian smoothhound shark is primarily a carnivorous predator, feeding on a variety of small bony fish, crustaceans, and other invertebrates found in its habitat.

Habitat and Distribution

Habitat: The Arabian smoothhound shark is primarily associated with shallow, nearshore habitats and continental shelves. They are commonly found in areas with sandy or muddy substrates, as well as in coral reefs and seagrass beds.

Distribution: This species is commonly found in the coastal waters of the northwestern Indian Ocean. Its distribution spans along the coasts of the Arabian Peninsula and neighboring regions, including the Red Sea and the Gulf of Oman.

Depth:This species of shark typically inhabits shallow coastal waters, often found in depths ranging from the intertidal zone to about 100 meters (approximately 328 feet).

Commercial Value

The meat of the species is often sold fresh for human consumption at local markets. Fins are not considered valuable due to their small size but are still traded internationally. It is sometimes processed into fishmeal.

Threats

Intense fishing pressure and it is often caught in bottom trawls, fixed bottom and floating gillnets, and line gear throughout its range.

References

• Moore, A. B., Henderson, A. C., Farrell, E. D., & Weekes, L. B. (2016). Biological data from a data-deficient shark: the Arabian smoothhound Mustelus mosis (Carcharhiniformes: Triakidae). Journal of fish biology, 88(6), 2303–2307. https://doi.org/10.1111/jfb.12979
• Manojkumar, P P (2010) First record of hound shark, Mustelus mosis from Calicut. CMFRI Newsletter No.125 April- June 2010, 125. p. 18