Cat Sharks
Catsharks and swell sharks are the common names for the members of the Scyliorhinidae family. The family members are distinguished from other similar families by the location of the last 2 gill slits behind the pectoral-fin origins, the posterior position of the first dorsal fin, the strongly asymmetrical caudal fin, the absence of keels or precaudal pits on the caudal peduncle and the comparatively large anal fin.
Members of the Scyliorhinidae are found in tropical and subtropical areas, ranging from shallow coastal waters to depths greater than 2000m. They are slow-swimming bottom-dwellers, feeding on invertebrates and small fishes.
They are the largest family of sharks, with 17 genera and 158 species worldwide.
Members of the Scyliorhinidae are found in tropical and subtropical areas, ranging from shallow coastal waters to depths greater than 2000m. They are slow-swimming bottom-dwellers, feeding on invertebrates and small fishes.
They are the largest family of sharks, with 17 genera and 158 species worldwide.
Scientific Name: Atelomycterus erdmanni Fahmi & White 2015
English Name: Spotted-belly Catshark
Chinese Name | 鱼类中文名: 狗母鲨 (Gǒu mǔ shā), 猫鲛 (Māo jiāo), 斑鲨 (Bān shā)
Malay Name | Nama Melayu Malaysia: Yu Bodoh, Yu Tokeh, Yu Cicak, Yu Karang
Thai Name | ชื่อสามัญภาษาไทย: ปลาฉลามแมว (Plā c̄hlām mæw), ปลาฉลามตุ๊กแก (Plā c̄hlām túkkæ)
Local Hokkien: Kau Bo Sua
Main Identification Features: A distinct white stripe through gill slits. Dark spots scattered along most of ventral surface. White spots surrounded by 2-4 dark spots. Far fewer white spots on the dorsal and lateral surfaces than A. marmoratus. White tips on falcate dorsal fins.
Size: Maximum total length to about 50 cm.
Habitat and Ecology: Shallow coastal reef area.
Scientific Name: Atelomycterus marmoratus (Anonymous, 1830)
English Name: Coral Catshark, Marble Catshark
Chinese Name | 鱼类中文名: 狗母鲨 (Gǒu mǔ shā), 斑猫鲛 (Bān māo jiāo), 白斑斑鲨 (Bái bān bān shā)
Malay Name | Nama Melayu Malaysia: Yu Bodoh, Yu Tokeh, Yu Cicak, Yu Karang
Thai Name | ชื่อสามัญภาษาไทย: ปลาฉลามแมว (Plā c̄hlām mæw), ปลาฉลามตุ๊กแก (Plā c̄hlām túkkæ), ปลาฉลามกบลายหินอ่อน (Plā c̄hlām kb lāy h̄inx̀xn)
Local Hokkien: Kau Bo Sua
Main Identification Features: Dorsal fins large, subequal in shape and size, angled rearwards. Marbled appearance. A distinct white stripe through gill slits. Saddle markings obsolete, light grey and white spots outlined by large black spots, bars and lines.
Size: Maximum total length to about 70 cm.
Habitat and Ecology: Coastal reef area. Feed on fishes and crustaceans, usually during night time.
English Name: Spotted-belly Catshark
Chinese Name | 鱼类中文名: 狗母鲨 (Gǒu mǔ shā), 猫鲛 (Māo jiāo), 斑鲨 (Bān shā)
Malay Name | Nama Melayu Malaysia: Yu Bodoh, Yu Tokeh, Yu Cicak, Yu Karang
Thai Name | ชื่อสามัญภาษาไทย: ปลาฉลามแมว (Plā c̄hlām mæw), ปลาฉลามตุ๊กแก (Plā c̄hlām túkkæ)
Local Hokkien: Kau Bo Sua
Main Identification Features: A distinct white stripe through gill slits. Dark spots scattered along most of ventral surface. White spots surrounded by 2-4 dark spots. Far fewer white spots on the dorsal and lateral surfaces than A. marmoratus. White tips on falcate dorsal fins.
Size: Maximum total length to about 50 cm.
Habitat and Ecology: Shallow coastal reef area.
Scientific Name: Atelomycterus marmoratus (Anonymous, 1830)
English Name: Coral Catshark, Marble Catshark
Chinese Name | 鱼类中文名: 狗母鲨 (Gǒu mǔ shā), 斑猫鲛 (Bān māo jiāo), 白斑斑鲨 (Bái bān bān shā)
Malay Name | Nama Melayu Malaysia: Yu Bodoh, Yu Tokeh, Yu Cicak, Yu Karang
Thai Name | ชื่อสามัญภาษาไทย: ปลาฉลามแมว (Plā c̄hlām mæw), ปลาฉลามตุ๊กแก (Plā c̄hlām túkkæ), ปลาฉลามกบลายหินอ่อน (Plā c̄hlām kb lāy h̄inx̀xn)
Local Hokkien: Kau Bo Sua
Main Identification Features: Dorsal fins large, subequal in shape and size, angled rearwards. Marbled appearance. A distinct white stripe through gill slits. Saddle markings obsolete, light grey and white spots outlined by large black spots, bars and lines.
Size: Maximum total length to about 70 cm.
Habitat and Ecology: Coastal reef area. Feed on fishes and crustaceans, usually during night time.
