Elasmobranchii (sharks and rays) >
Carcharhiniformes (Ground sharks) >
Triakidae (Houndsharks) > Triakinae
Etymology: Triakis: tri-, from tres (L.), three; akis (Gr.), point, referring to each tooth consisting of one large central cusp flanked on by both sides by a small cusplet (See ETYFish); semifasciata: semi-, from semis (L.), half; fasciatus (L.), banded, referring to striking black saddle marks that cover only dorsal half of body (See ETYFish).
More on author: Girard.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Marine; brackish; demersal; depth range 0 - 156 m (Ref. 96339), usually ? - 6 m (Ref. 55312). Subtropical; 45°N - 19°N, 126°W - 105°W (Ref. 55312)
Eastern Pacific: Oregon, USA to the Gulf of California.
Length at first maturity / Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm 109.8, range 100 - 129 cm
Max length : 198 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 244); 180.0 cm TL (female); common length : 160 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. ); max. published weight: 18.4 kg (Ref. 40637); max. reported age: 30 years (Ref. 6145)
Found in shallow water from the intertidal to deeper waters, most commonly in enclosed muddy bays; including estuaries and lagoons (S. Wilson, pers. comm.). Prefer sandy areas, mud flats, and bottoms strewn with rocks near rocky reefs and kelp beds. Feed mainly on crabs, shrimps, bony fish, fish eggs, clam necks and innkeeper worms among a large variety of food in its diet. Form mixed schools. Ovoviviparous (aplacental), with 4 to 29 young in a litter. Utilized fresh or frozen for human consumption.
Females produce 6-24 young, which are 20-23 cm long at birth (Ref. 43439). Ovoviviparous, embryos feed solely on yolk (Ref. 50449).
Compagno, L.J.V., 1984. FAO Species Catalogue. Vol. 4. Sharks of the world. An annotated and illustrated catalogue of shark species known to date. Part 2 - Carcharhiniformes. FAO Fish. Synop. 125(4/2):251-655. Rome: FAO. (Ref. 244)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2024-1)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Fisheries: commercial; gamefish: yes; aquarium: commercial
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Estimates based on models
Preferred temperature (Ref.
123201): 12.8 - 24, mean 20.4 °C (based on 131 cells).
Phylogenetic diversity index (Ref.
82804): PD
50 = 0.5312 [Uniqueness, from 0.5 = low to 2.0 = high].
Bayesian length-weight: a=0.00234 (0.00122 - 0.00451), b=3.12 (2.95 - 3.29), in cm total length, based on LWR estimates for this species & (Sub)family-body (Ref.
93245).
Trophic level (Ref.
69278): 3.7 ±0.2 se; based on diet studies.
Resilience (Ref.
120179): Very Low, minimum population doubling time more than 14 years (K=0.07-0.09; tm=11-21; tmax=30; Fec=4-12).
Fishing Vulnerability (Ref.
59153): Very high vulnerability (80 of 100).
