(Hemigaleidae)
Weasel Sharks
Великоокі акули
The weasel sharks are a family, the Hemigaleidae, of ground sharks found from the eastern Atlantic Ocean to the continental Indo-Pacific. They are found in shallow coastal waters to a depth of 100 m. They prefer shelf areas, coastal lagoons, and bays, but may also be found far offshore. They are primarily bottom-associated, living mainly near the seafloor.
Most species are small, reaching no more than 1.4 m long, though the snaggletooth shark (Hemipristis elongatus) may reach 2.4 m. They have horizontally oval eyes, small spiracles, and precaudal pits. Two dorsal fins occur with the base of the first placed well forward of the pelvic fins. The caudal fin has a strong ventral lobe and undulations on the dorsal lobe margin. They feed on a variety of small bony fishes and invertebrates; at least two species specialize on cephalopods. They are not known to have attacked people.
Sexual maturity is reached at a length of 70–120 cm. The species is oviparous. The incubation period lasts about six months. Females lay 2–19 egg cases, from which hatchlings measuring 20–50 cm emerge.
(Hemipristis elongata)
Snaggletooth Shark
Акула кривозуба
It is found in the Indo-West Pacific, including the Red Sea, from southeast Africa to the Philippines, north to China, and south to Australia, at depths from 1 to 130 m. It inhabits coastal areas near the bottom of the water column, but may also be found on continental and insular shelves.
(Chaenogaleus macrostoma)
Hooktooth Shark
Акула великоока гакозуба
It is found in the tropical Indo-West Pacific oceans between latitudes 30° N and 10° S, including the Persian Gulf, Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, China, Taiwan, and Java and Sulawesi in Indonesia, from the surface to a depth of 59 m.
(Hemigaleus microstoma)
Sicklefin Weasel Shark
Серпоплавцева великоока акула
It is found off southern India and Sri Lanka, as well as from southern China and Taiwan to Java and Borneo. It may also occur around the Philippines and in the Red Sea. It inhabits continental and insular shelves from inshore waters to at least a depth of 170 m.
(Hemigaleus australiensis)
Australian Weasel Shark
Австралійська акула-ласиця
It inhabits continental and insular shelves off northern Australia, from Geraldton in Western Australia to Brunswick Heads in New South Wales. It tends to swim close to the sea floor and can be found from inshore waters down to 170 m.
(Paragaleus tengi)
Straight-tooth Weasel Shark
Смугаста акула китайська
It is found in the tropical western Pacific Ocean, ranging from the coast of Vietnam to southern Japan and the Korean Peninsula.
(Paragaleus pectoralis)
Atlantic Weasel Shark
Смугаста акула атлантична
It is common inshore and offshore along continental shelves of the eastern Atlantic, it can be found close to land in the surf zone from Mauritania to Angola. It is also commonly found in tropical to warm-temperate waters around the Cape Verde Islands, reaching depths of 100 m.
(Paragaleus longicaudatus)
Slender Weasel Shark
Смугаста акула струнка
It is found in the Persian Gulf off Iran, Qatar, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia, and also occurs off Pakistan, India, and Sri Lanka, at depths of up to 18 m.
(Paragaleus leucolomatus)
Whitetip Weasel Shark
Смугаста акула білопера
Only one specimen, in Kosi Bay, South Africa, has been caught. It occurs at depths of 1–20 m.
