Heterodontus francisci (Girard, 1855)

Horn shark

Catalog of Fishes (gen., sp.) | ITIS | CoL

Classification	Elasmobranchii \| Heterodontiformes \| Heterodontidae
Synonyms	Cestracion francisci, ... more
Common names	Requin dormeur cornu, Dormilón cornudo, Gata, ... more

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Heterodontus francisci

Picture by Gotshall, D.W.

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AquaMaps Data sources: GBIF OBIS

Main reference

Compagno, L.J.V. 2001. (Ref. 43278)
Other references | Biblio | Coordinator | Collaborators

Size / Weight / Age

Max length : 122 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 247); common length : 97.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 247); max. reported age: 12 years (Ref. 72467)

Length at first maturity

L_m ?, range 59 - ? cm

Environment

Demersal; marine; depth range 2 - 150 m (Ref. 9253), usually 2 - 11 m (Ref. 9253)

Climate / Range

Subtropical; 37°N - 15°S, 124°W - 75°W

Eastern Pacific: central California, USA to the Gulf of California, and probably Ecuador and Peru.
Countries | FAO areas | Ecosystems | Occurrences | Introductions

Sluggish, nocturnal, and mostly solitary species. Inhabit rocky bottoms, kelp beds, sandy draws between rocks, on sand flats, deep crevices and small caves and also large underwater caverns. Adults tend to return to the same resting place every day (Ref. 43278). Feed on benthic invertebrates, especially sea urchins, crabs and probably abalone, also fishes. Oviparous (Ref. 50449). May bite back when harassed. Has broad muscular paired fins used as limbs for clambering on the bottom. Catch reduced to fish meal; fin spines used in production of jewels.


IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 57073)	Threat to humans
Data deficient (DD)	Traumatogenic (Ref. 247)

Human uses
Fisheries: minor commercial; aquarium: public aquariums


More information
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