Hypogaleus hyugaensis (Blacktip tope)

(Miyosi, 1939)

Life > Eukaryotes > Opisthokonta > Metazoa (animals) > Bilateria > Deuterostomia > Chordata > Craniata > Vertebrata (vertebrates)  > Gnathostomata (jawed vertebrates) > Chondrichthyes > Elasmobranchii > Galeomorphii > Carcharhiniformes > Triakidae

Hypogaleus hyugaensis (Blacktip tope) [Illustration by Ann Hecht ©]

Identification

A slender houndshark with a long broadly pointed snout, large oval eyes, bladelike teeth, a 2nd dorsal fin larger than anal fin, and terminal caudal lobe shorter than the rest of fin. Colour grey or brown above, underside lighter, young with black-tipped fins.

Size

To 1.3 m TL.

Range

East coast off Natal; elsewhere off east Africa and in the Western Pacific.

Habitat

Offshore at depths of 40 to 230 m.

Biology

Bears up to 11 young, which have a placenta. Feeds on bony fish.

Human Impact

Taken by offshore trawlers.

Text by Leonard J.V. Compagno, David A. Ebert and Malcolm J. Smale