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Squatina guggenheim, commonly known as the Cação-anjo or Guggenheim's Angelshark, is a species of angelshark belonging to the family Squatinidae. These sharks are characterized by their flattened bodies and broad pectoral fins, which give them a ray-like appearance, though they are true sharks. They are benthic predators, spending most of their time camouflaged on the seafloor, ambushing prey.
Características físicas
- Formato do corpo
- flat
- Coloração
- Dorsal surface is typically mottled brown, grey, or yellowish with darker spots and blotches, providing excellent camouflage against sandy or muddy substrates. Ventral surface is white.
- Tipo de escama
- placoid
- Posição da boca
- terminal
- Características distintivas
- Flattened body with broad, wing-like pectoral fins that are not fused to the head (distinguishing it from true rays)., Two dorsal fins located far back on the body, near the caudal fin., Absence of an anal fin., Large, spiracles located behind the eyes., Nostrils with barbels., Rough skin due to dermal denticles, with a row of enlarged denticles along the midline of the back and tail in some individuals.
- Nadadeira dorsal
- Two small, similarly sized dorsal fins located posteriorly on the caudal peduncle.
- Nadadeira caudal
- Asymmetrical, with the upper lobe slightly larger than the lower lobe.
- Nadadeira peitoral
- Large, flattened, and expanded laterally, giving the shark a ray-like appearance. Not fused to the head.
- Nadadeiras características
- Pelvic fins are also broad and flattened, positioned just behind the pectoral fins.
Dicas de identificação
Body Shape
Look for the distinctly flattened, ray-like body with broad pectoral fins that are separate from the head.
Dorsal Fins
Note the two small dorsal fins positioned far back on the body, just anterior to the caudal fin.
Coloration
Observe the mottled brown/grey/yellowish dorsal coloration with darker spots and blotches, which aids in camouflage.
Nostril Barbels
Presence of small, fleshy barbels near the nostrils.
Habitat
- Tipo de água
- saltwater
- Profundidade
- Typically found in shallow coastal waters, from the surf zone down to about 100 meters (330 feet), though occasionally recorded deeper.
- Ambiente
- Benthic, preferring soft substrates such as sand or mud, often near rocky reefs or seagrass beds. They bury themselves in the sediment, leaving only their eyes and spiracles exposed.
- Distribuição geográfica
- Southwestern Atlantic Ocean, primarily along the coast of Brazil, from Espírito Santo south to northern Argentina. Its distribution is somewhat patchy and localized.
Informações sobre aquário
- Nível de cuidado: expert
- Temperamento: territorial
- Alimentação: carnivore
- Tamanho mínimo do aquário: Not suitable for home aquaria due to size and specialized needs.
- Temperatura: 18-22°C (64-72°F)
- Nível de pH: 8.1-8.4
- Dureza da água: 1.020-1.025 SG
- Compatibilidade: Not compatible with most other species due to predatory nature and specialized habitat requirements. Best kept in species-specific, large public aquariums.
- Requisitos especiais: Requires a very large, sandy bottom tank with ample hiding spots. Sensitive to water quality and stress. Not recommended for private aquarists.
Informações no ambiente natural
- Estado de conservação: critically endangered
- Sazonalidade: No specific seasonal migration patterns are well-documented for this species; they are generally resident in their preferred habitats year-round, though reproductive cycles may show seasonality.
- Preço de mercado: Variable, often sold as 'cação' (shark meat) without species-specific labeling.
- Importância comercial: medium
- Sabor: Mild, slightly firm white flesh.
- Textura: Flaky, similar to other shark or ray meat.
- Métodos de preparo: Fried, Grilled, Stewed, Baked
- Valor nutricional: Good source of protein, low in fat. However, consumption is discouraged due to conservation status.
Fatos principais
Master of Camouflagebehavior
Squatina guggenheim is an expert at camouflage, burying itself in sand or mud with only its eyes and spiracles exposed, making it almost invisible to unsuspecting prey and predators.
Ambush Predatorbehavior
Unlike most active-swimming sharks, the Cação-anjo is a classic ambush predator, lying in wait for fish, crustaceans, and mollusks to pass by before launching a rapid attack.
Critically Endangered Statusinteresting
Due to overfishing, habitat degradation, and its slow reproductive rate, Squatina guggenheim is listed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN Red List, highlighting an urgent need for conservation efforts.
Ray-like Appearanceamazing
Despite its common name 'angelshark' and its flattened, ray-like body, Squatina guggenheim is a true shark, distinguished by its gill slits located on the sides of its head (not ventrally like rays) and its pectoral fins not being fused to the head.
Ovoviviparous Reproductionbehavior
This species is ovoviviparous, meaning the eggs hatch inside the mother's uterus, and the young are born live, typically in litters of 4 to 9 pups.
Informações de segurança
Manusear com cuidado- Nível de segurança: caution
- Venenoso: Não
- Comestibilidade: not recommended
- Observações de manuseio: While not venomous, Cação-anjo can inflict a painful bite if provoked or handled carelessly. Their jaws are strong, and their teeth are sharp, designed for grasping prey. They are ambush predators and will defend themselves if threatened. Always exercise caution and avoid direct contact if encountered.
Espécies similares
Argentine Angelshark
Squatina argentina
S. argentina generally has a more uniform coloration and lacks the prominent row of enlarged denticles along the midline of the back that can be present in S. guggenheim. Morphometric differences in fin shapes and body proportions also exist, requiring careful examination.
Smoothback Angelshark
Squatina oculata
S. oculata typically has more pronounced ocelli (eye-like spots) on its dorsal surface and a smoother back, lacking the enlarged denticles found in some S. guggenheim. Its geographic range also overlaps, making careful identification crucial.
Brazilian Angelshark
Squatina punctata
S. punctata is characterized by numerous small, dark spots over its dorsal surface. While S. guggenheim can have spots, they are generally larger and more blotchy, and S. punctata typically lacks the enlarged dorsal denticles.
Classificação científica
- Reino
- Animalia
- Filo
- Chordata
- Classe
- Chondrichthyes
- Ordem
- Squatiniformes
- Família
- Squatinidae
- Gênero
- Squatina
- Espécie
- Squatina guggenheim
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