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FISH GUIDE · Sea

Smooth-hound: identification, habitat and fishing guide

Mustelus mustelus

Common smooth-hound is a taxon distinct from starry smooth-hound. An unspotted body does not confirm Mustelus mustelus; this sheet preserves uncertainties in identification and distribution.

Catalogue names : Émissole commune. Forms and names may vary between habitats.

Editorial review : · This species guide is not permission to fish. Read the precautions below and check the current rules for your location before targeting a species. Some species or populations are protected.

Geographical distribution

Documented presence includes: eastern Atlantic, from the United Kingdom to southern Africa ; Mediterranean Sea ; Canary Islands and Moroccan coasts. Records of Mustelus canis, a western Atlantic species, are not transferred.

  • Documented presence : eastern Atlantic, from the United Kingdom to southern Africa
  • Documented presence : Mediterranean Sea
  • Documented presence : Canary Islands and Moroccan coasts

Documented areas, not an exhaustive list. Presence in a region does not imply presence in every water body or permission to fish.

Distribution sources

Identification

Mustelus mustelus is generally grey to grey-brown above and pale below. This colour overlaps with other smooth-hounds: reliable identification requires several features and sometimes expertise, without intrusive handling.

Habitat

Eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean, over the continental shelf and upper slope. Older far-northern records are questioned because of confusion with Mustelus asterias.

Diet

Mainly crustaceans, but also cephalopods and bony fish.

Behaviour

It swims mainly near the bottom but may enter midwater. This behaviour does not validate methods reported for smooth-hounds without species-level identification.

Indicative biological size

100 cm common total length according to FishBase; this is not a legal size limit.

Fishing context and precautions

The CNR manual names Mustelus mustelus in its palombo chapter and describes bolentino over mixed bottoms as well as coastal practices in the northern Adriatic. Indicative bait adaptation from a boat where fishing is permitted, at a spot where the taxon has been locally confirmed: rig a terminal sinker and short snood with one hook, attach a piece of squid and lower under control near the bottom. Adjust weight to the current to maintain contact; retrieve if you can no longer follow the line or avoid obstacles. Follow the take, then retrieve steadily without unnecessarily prolonged fighting. IFI recommends unhooking elasmobranchs alongside the boat when possible, without a gaff, and bringing them aboard only when necessary. Never suspend the fish by its tail or vertically; protect the gills and minimise handling. These general precautions do not identify the species: do not examine embryos or organs or force identification from the absence of spots alone.

A distinctive feature

Mustelus mustelus is viviparous with a placental connection between the mother and embryos.

Sources and review

Each reference includes its access date. Overall editorial review: . Local conditions and regulations may change.

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