Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Chondrichthyes
- Order
- Squaliformes
- Family
- Scyliorhinidae
- Genus
- Galeus
- Species
- melastomus
Habitat
This species primarily inhabits the continental shelves and upper slopes of the Northeast Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea, at depths ranging from 200 to 1400 meters. It prefers muddy or sandy substrates in cold, deep waters.
Diet
The Blackmouth catshark feeds mainly on small bony fishes, squid, and crustaceans found on the seafloor. It is a nocturnal hunter that actively forages along the bottom during the night.
Behavior
Blackmouth catsharks are solitary and benthic, spending most of their time resting on the ocean floor during the day and becoming more active at night. They are not territorial and exhibit slow, deliberate swimming patterns to conserve energy.
Conservation Status
Listed as Least Concern by IUCN.