ANGEL SHARK
(MONKFISH)
Squatina squatina (Linnaeus, 1758)
| Usual Size | Known to at least 183cm, although may reach 244cm. |
| UK Record Weight |
BOAT 66lb SHORE Vacant |
| Identification | A Compressed body - with the upper side a light sandy brown and the under side usually white |
| Habitat | Shallow water dwelling shark and close inshore although found to depths of 150m. Prefers mud and sandy bottoms where the shark can bury itself to ambush prey. |
| Range | Eastern North Atlantic to the Canary Islands - mainly inshore waters |
| Food | Mostly flatfish, crustaceans (crabs) and molluscs |
| Reproduction | Ovoviviparous
(egg layer) - eggs 6/8cm diameter between 9/20 eggs - newly hatched size
20/30cm.
|
| Additional Notes | Assumed to be the transitional species between sharks and rays. A powerful shark.. |
| 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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