Dark Shyshark: Haploblepharus pictus

Family: Pentanchidae
Common name(s)

Dark Shyshark, Pretty Happy.

Identification

Small size. Head broad with a short rounded snout. Greatly expanded nasal flaps. First dorsal origin approximately level with pelvic fin insertion. First and second dorsal fins of equal size.
Large dark saddles on back and tail. Saddles usually devoid of spots. Brown background between saddles may be densely covered in pale spots or plain. Overall coloration may appear light or dark.

Size

Maximum length 60cm. Born at 10-12cm.

Habitat

Rocky reefs, kelp forests, and sand flats. Found from intertidal zone to at least 35m.

Distribution

The dark shyshark has a limited range in the Southeast Atlantic and Western Indian Ocean from north of Lüderitz, Namibia to East London, South Africa.

Conservation Status

LEAST CONCERN

The Dark Shyshark is caught as bycatch in demersal trawl fisheries, commercial and recreational line fisheries, demersal longline fisheries targeting sharks, and in beach seines, gillnets, and rock lobster traps (Ebert et al. 2013, da Silva et al. 2015). Fishers tend to discard them dead or in poor condition as they are considered a nuisance (Human 2007). Much of the western portion of this species’ range is in remote areas where fishing pressure is low.

Citations and References
Pollom, R., Gledhill, K., Ebert, D.A., McCord, M.E., Van der Bank, M. & Winker, H. 2019. Haploblepharus pictusThe IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2019: e.T161650A124521775. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-3.RLTS.T161650A124521775.en. Downloaded on 15 November 2020.

Reproduction

Oviparous. Gestation is 6–10 months.

Diet

Small bony fishes, sea snails, crustaceans, cephalopods, and polychaete worms. Occasionally consumes algae.

Behavior

Rests in crevices during the day. Curls into a ball with tail over eyes when threatened; hence common name ‘shy shark’. See Dark Shyshark image #096

Reaction to divers

Extremely easy to approach. Will allow divers to follow it through the kelp forest as it searches for food. Easily attracted by small amounts of bait.

Diving logistics

The dark shyshark can be encountered at virtually all rocky or kelpy dive sites in and around False Bay.
Miller’s Point on the west end of Simonstown is a popular spot in False Bay that can be dived by boat or from shore if the surf is not too high. It would be unusual not to see a handful of dark shysharks, plus numerous other catshark species, spotted gully sharks, and sometimes sevengill sharks at this beautiful spot.
False Bay is the first stop on Big Fish Expeditions’ South African Endemic Shark and Ray Expedition.

Similar species

Puffadder Shyshark Distinguished by lighter overall coloration, and fine covering of small pale spots over a light brown base, and bold reddish-brown saddles.

Brown Shyshark Distinguished by broad head, stockier body, and overall plain brown coloration, rarely with dusky saddles.

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