Brown Smoothhound
Mustelus henlei
The brown smooth-hound is a houndshark of the family Triakidae. The reproduction of this shark is viviparous.
10
Countries
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brown_smooth-hound
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Elasmobranchii
Order
Carcharhiniformes
Family
Triakidae
Genus
Mustelus
Brown Smoothhound belongs to the family Triakidae, order Carcharhiniformes, within the Elasmobranchii class.
Species Profile
The brown smooth-hound is a houndshark of the family Triakidae. The reproduction of this shark is viviparous. The brown smooth-hound reaches a maximum reported size of 95.0 cm and a minimum of 27.6cm amongst males while females can range from 25.7 cm to 100 cm although males reach their asymptotic length sooner than females. The average size of this species is between 50 and 70 cm and is between 19 and 21 cm at birth. Females at maternity are around 67.6 cm long whereas the average length at maturity is 63.6 cm for males and 65.6 cm for females. This species is a ground shark and has a heterocercal caudal fin bearing an elongate upper lobe, triangular and broad dorsal fins, broad pectoral fins, an inferior mouth, and large eyes, and displays a reddish or bronze coloration from above and a...
The Brown Smoothhound faces significant pressure from commercial and recreational fishing activities throughout its range, with populations declining due to overfishing and bycatch in gillnet and trawl fisheries. Habitat degradation in coastal nursery areas, combined with the species' slow reproductive rate and late maturity, makes recovery particularly challenging once populations are depleted.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Coastal marine waters, bays, and estuaries from the intertidal zone to depths of approximately 200 meters, typically over sandy and muddy bottoms. Juveniles utilize shallow nearshore areas and protected bays as nursery habitat.
Threats
Bycatch in gillnet and trawl fisheries
Commercial fishing pressure and targeted harvest
Coastal habitat degradation affecting nursery areas
Recreational fishing pressure
Slow reproductive rate limiting population recovery
Found in 10 Countries
Community Sightings
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Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). Brown Smoothhound (Mustelus henlei). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/brown-smoothhound