LESSER SPOTTED CATSHARK

(LSD)

Sycliorhinus canicula (Linnaeus, 1758)

Usual Size	Believed to 100cm, although within UK waters maximum length probably to 80cm
UK Record Weight	BOAT 4lb 6oz 8dr SHORE 4lb 15oz 3dr
Identification	Upper side of the body usually light brown covered with darker spots, although some sharks will be darker and occasionally shown quite defined saddle markings. May occasionally have a smattering of white spots.
Habitat	Bottom dwelling shark, with a liking for sandy, coral type structures, mud, gravel and algal areas. Found in very shallow waters to 110m
Range	North Eastern Atlantic to Senegal
Food	Mainly crustaceans (crabs and shrimps) and molluscs (especially whelks) occasionally small fish and squid.
Reproduction	Oviparous. (egg laying) Eggs laid 2 at a time and the female may lay as many as 5/7 eggs per week during the breeding season (November to July) - hatching size 9/10cm. Females mature at 44cm
Additional Notes	Occasional hermaphrodite examples are caught, showing signs of both sexual organs.
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

To Shark Species Directory

To Angling Method for Shark Species

Tagging Index