Common Smooth-Hound

Mustelus mustelus

The Common Smooth-hound is a houndshark found in the eastern Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, extending from the British Isles to South Africa, including Madeira and the Canary Islands. It typically inhabits depths of 5 to 50 meters but can be found as deep as 625 meters. This shark is recognized by its grey-brown back and white underside, and it can be distinguished from the similar starry smooth-hound by the absence of white spots. It is also often confused with the tope shark, but the Common Smooth-hound has a larger second dorsal fin. Divers may encounter this species on continental shelves and uppermost slopes, where it prefers to swim near the bottom. It is a bottom-dwelling predator, feeding primarily on crustaceans, but also consuming cephalopods and bony fishes. The Common Smooth-hound is viviparous, with females giving birth to 4 to 17 young per litter, each measuring about 39 cm at birth. The Common Smooth-hound is listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List. Despite being harmless to humans, it is targeted by fisheries for its meat, oil, and fishmeal.