Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Chondrichthyes
- Order
- Squatiniformes
- Family
- Triakidae
- Genus
- Mustelus
- Species
- asterias
Habitat
This species inhabits shallow coastal waters, often over sandy or muddy seabeds, in the Northeast Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea. It prefers depths from 10 to 100 meters, avoiding very deep or rocky areas.
Diet
The starry smooth-hound primarily feeds on bottom-dwelling prey such as crabs, shrimp, small fish, and mollusks. It hunts at night by foraging along the sea floor, using its senses to detect buried prey.
Behavior
This shark is typically solitary or found in small groups, active mainly at night when it hunts along the ocean floor. It exhibits territorial behavior around feeding areas and often buries itself in sand during the day to avoid detection. They are generally non-aggressive towards humans.
Fishing
Target the starry smooth-hound, a popular sport fish in the Northeast Atlantic and Mediterranean regions, using bottom fishing techniques with a sturdy rod and reel setup to handle its strong runs in shallow coastal waters over sandy or muddy seabeds at depths of 10-100 meters; opt for medium-heavy tackle including a 7-9 foot rod rated for 20-30 lb line, paired with a reel spooled with 20-30 lb monofilament or braided line, and a strong leader to prevent bite-offs from its sharp teeth. Effective baits include crabs, shrimp, small fish, or mollusks, presented on a simple bottom rig with a sinker to keep it on the seafloor, as this species is primarily nocturnal and forages at night—cast near structures like wrecks or reefs during evening hours for the best results. The prime season runs from spring through summer when they are more active and feeding aggressively, making early morning or late evening the optimal times; focus on areas like the Nab Rocks off the Isle of Wight or along European coasts where populations are stable. The IGFA all-tackle record stands at around 10 lb. 8 oz, reflecting the species' typical size of 60-160 cm, so aim for fish in the 5-10 lb range for a thrilling catch. As a conservation success story, starry smooth-hounds are listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, with angler-funded programs in Europe supporting habitat protection and stock assessments—practice catch-and-release for smaller individuals to maintain healthy populations, adhering to local slot limits and seasonal closures as effective management tools that ensure sustainable fishing and contribute to broader aquatic conservation efforts through license fees and excise taxes.
Conservation Status
Listed as Least Concern by IUCN.