Mustelus antarcticus Günther, 1870
Gummy shark
photo by Duffy, C.

Family:  Triakidae (Houndsharks), subfamily: Triakinae
Max. size:  157 cm TL (male/unsexed); 175 cm TL (female); max.weight: 31 kg; max. reported age: 16 years
Environment:  demersal; marine; depth range 0 - 403 m, oceanodromous
Distribution:  Eastern Indian Ocean: endemic to southern Australia, from Western Australia through Bass Strait to Tasmania and northern New South Wales. Possibly extends northward to southern Queensland and Shark Bay in Western Australia. Confused with another undescribed species whose southern distribution extends to Dampier (20°40'S) (possibly Shark Bay) in the west and Bowen (20°S) (possibly Coffs Harbor) in the east. There is a single stock of gummy sharks in the area, however, regional stock differences might still exist.
Diagnosis:   
Biology:  An inshore and offshore shark found from intertidal waters (Ref. 13563) to a depth of 350 m. Feeds on crustaceans, marine worms and small fishes (Ref. 13563), also cephalopods. Forms schools by sex and size . Ovoviviparous (Ref. 50449). Newborn and juvenile gummy sharks are found in many areas across southern Australia, but no well-defined nursery areas have been identified. These sharks are capable of long migrations, females traveling longer distances than males (Ref. 6390). Utilized fresh for human consumption (Ref. 6871). Maximum length data for female species is taken from Ref. 6390.
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 15 April 2015 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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