Elasmobranchii (sharks and rays) >
Carcharhiniformes (Ground sharks) >
Hemigaleidae (Weasel sharks)
Etymology: Paragaleus: para (Gr.), near, referring to how its dentition is intermediate between Hemigaleus and the triakid Eugaleus (=Galeorhinus) (See ETYFish); leucolomatus: leuco-, from leukos (Gr.), white; lomatos (Gr.), border, referring to prominent white tips and margins of most fins (See ETYFish).
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Marine; demersal; depth range 1 - 20 m (Ref. 5578). Subtropical; 26°S - 27°S
Western Indian Ocean: known only from one specimen caught off Kosi Bay, South Africa.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm
Max length : 96.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 5485)
Short description
Identification keys | Morphology | Morphometrics
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Anal spines: 0. A slender weasel shark with a long snout, large eyes, and a moderately long mouth with small serrated upper teeth and erect-cusped lower teeth (Ref. 5578). Dark grey dorsally, white ventrally; prominent white tips on most fins except for 2nd dorsal which is black-tipped (Ref. 5578).
Body shape (shape guide): elongated.
Occurs in shallow coastal waters (Ref. 5578). Viviparous (Ref. 50449).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Viviparous with 1 fetus in each uterus (Ref. 5485). Distinct pairing with embrace (Ref. 205).
Bass, A.J., P.C. Heemstra and L.J.V. Compagno, 1986. Carcharhinidae. p. 67-87. In M.M. Smith and P.C. Heemstra (eds.) Smiths' sea fishes. Springer-Verlag, Berlin. (Ref. 5485)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Fisheries: of no interest
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