Mustelus mosis Hemprich & Ehrenberg, 1899
Arabian smooth-hound
photo by Randall, J.E.

Family:  Triakidae (Houndsharks), subfamily: Triakinae
Max. size:  150 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; marine; depth range - 400 m
Distribution:  Indian Ocean: Red Sea, Arabian Sea and the Persian Gulf, southernmost confirmed records from off Somalia in the Gulf of Aden.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 0-0; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 0-0. A smoothhound without spots and often with a white-tipped 1st dorsal fin; adults with a hard, bone-like growth embedded in snout, readily felt by pinching it (Ref. 5578). Grey or grey-brown dorsally, white ventrally (Ref. 5578). Pectoral fins with pale trailing edges (Ref. 5485).
Biology:  Occurs in continental waters, both inshore and offshore (Ref. 244). Sometimes seen on coral reefs (Ref. 244). Feeds on small bottom fishes, mollusks, and crustaceans (Ref. 244). In the Gulf of Aqaba on cephalopods, decapods and terrestrial food items while off Al-Ghardaqar near the entrance of the Gulf of Suez, prawns, small crabs and small fish were found in the specimens (Ref. 124465). Viviparous (Ref. 244). Caught by shore anglers (Ref. 5578). Readily lives in captivity (Ref. 244). Utilized as a foodfish (Ref. 244).
IUCN Red List Status: Near Threatened (NT); Date assessed: 25 April 2018 (A2d) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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