GREATER SPOTTED CATSHARK

(BULL HUSS)

Sycliorhinus stellaris (Linnaeus, 1758)

Usual Size	To 162cm
UK Record Weight	BOAT 22lb 4oz SHORE 19lb 14oz
Identification	The upper and underside of the body is pale or dark brown and appears to be mottled, as is covered with a series of small and large black (sometimes white) spots and the under side tends to be paler in colour.
Habitat	Found at depths between 1/2m to at least 125m, although most commonly found at 20/63m. Likes a rough or rocky bottom and areas where there is algae covering.
Range	Eastern North Atlantic known down to Senegal. Located both inshore and offshore
Food	Molluscs (mussels and oysters) crustaceans (crabs, lobsters and squat lobsters and prawns) and boney fish; small species like Pout, Poor Cod and Whiting. with larger sharks taking cephalopods (squid, cuttlefish and octopus)
Reproduction	Oviparous (egg laying) Probably only 1 or 2 egg cases deposited per season, hatching at 16cm. Believed to be mature when over 100cm
Additional Notes
References	A Field Guide to The Sharks of British Coastal Waters - Vas 1991 FAO Species Catalogue 4 - Sharks of The World - Compagno Fishes of the North-Eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean - Whitehead, Bauchot, Hureau, Nielsen, Tortonese Key to the Fishes of Northern Europe - Wheeler

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