What family is the catshark in?

family Scyliorhinidae
Catsharks are ground sharks of the family Scyliorhinidae. They are one of the largest families of sharks with around 160 species placed in 17 genera. Although they are generally known as catsharks, some species can also be called dogfish due to previous naming.

What is the smallest catshark?

Pale Catshark This tiny shark only reaches 8.2 inches (21 cm) at maturity.

Is a dogfish a catshark?

This catshark has other common names such as ‘rough hound’, ‘lesser spotted dogfish’ and also ‘rock salmon’, under which name it sometimes appears on the menu in fish and chip shops. Dogfish and catshark are the same animal!

How many catsharks are there?

cat shark, any of more than 150 species of small mottled sharks (order Carcharhiniformes). Most are less than 90 cm (3 feet) long, and many have bold body markings. They have slender bodies and eyes that are elongate, giving them a catlike appearance. Cat sharks prey on invertebrates and small fishes.

Why is it called catshark?

Like other catsharks, the small-spotted catshark (Scyliorhinus canicula ) is named for the elongated, cat-like shape of its eyes.

Is cat shark endangered?

Due to habitat destruction and overfishing, the coral catshark is listed as a vulnerable species on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

Is the catshark endangered?

The IUCN has classified coral catsharks as a “Near Threatened” species, but the truth is there aren’t accurate estimates of the population as a whole.

Can you eat catshark?

Lesser Spotted Dogfish (also known as Small Spotted Catsharks) are edible and have been fished for centuries, although their meat is not considered to be high value. The meat may be sold by fishmongers as rock salmon.

How long is a catshark?

2 ½ feet long
Catsharks are generally small, usually less than 2 ½ feet long (80 cm), and have cylindrical bodies, tapered at the ends, with two small dorsal fins set far back down the body.

Are catsharks endangered?