description Striped smoothhound Overview
The striped smoothhound is a houndshark of the family Triakidae found in the southwestern Atlantic. Its recorded range extends from southern Brazil to northern Argentina, placing it among the coastal sharks of that region. The species is classified as Critically Endangered, so it is relevant to conservation research, fisheries management, and studies of threatened marine animals. Its name refers to the striped pattern that distinguishes it from other smoothhounds.
help Striped smoothhound FAQ
What is the scientific name and range of the striped smoothhound?
The striped smoothhound is Mustelus fasciatus, a houndshark in the family Triakidae. NOAA places it near the seafloor of the southwestern Atlantic, from Brazil through Uruguay to Argentina, at depths from about 3 to 820 feet. [NOAA Fisheries](https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/striped-smoothhound-shark/resources)
How can I recognize a striped smoothhound?
It has a large head, very small eyes, a sharply pointed snout, a gray or gray-brown back, and a white underside. Juveniles show dark uneven bars across the head and body, although those stripes become less distinct in adults.
What does the striped smoothhound eat?
Available diet studies indicate that it feeds mainly on crustaceans, especially box crabs, followed by fish and mollusks. Its near-seafloor feeding behavior matches its continental-shelf habitat.
Why is the striped smoothhound considered highly threatened?
The species has a restricted coastal range and is vulnerable to fishing pressure in the southwestern Atlantic. The catalog identifies it as Critically Endangered, while NOAA listed it as endangered under the U.S. Endangered Species Act in 2017.
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