Halaelurus boesemani Springer & D'Aubrey, 1972
Speckled catshark
Halaelurus boesemani
photo by Gloerfelt-Tarp, T.

Family:  Pentanchidae (Deepwater catsharks)
Max. size:  48 cm TL (male/unsexed); 47 cm TL (female)
Environment:  demersal; marine; depth range 37 - 250 m
Distribution:  Western Indian Ocean: Somalia, Gulf of Aden and Kenya.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 0-0; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 0-0. Dark spots small and very numerous, usually not larger than spiracles, over or between weak saddles or bars (Ref. 11146).
Biology:  A little-known but wide-ranging bottom-dwelling shark found on continental and insular shelves (Ref. 11146). Probably caught with bottom trawls (Ref. 30573). Live-bearing (Ref. 50449).
IUCN Red List Status: Vulnerable (VU); Date assessed: 09 February 2017 (A2d) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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