The clouded angelshark is a species of angelshark living in the Pacific Ocean. It gets its name from the patterns of the spots on its back, giving it a cloudlike appearance.
Often confused for the Taiwanese angelshark due to its relative obscurity, one can distinguish the two with the help of the clouded angelshark’s more varied markings.
Clouded Angelshark Scientific Classification |
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| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Chondrichthyes |
| Order | Squatiniformes |
| Family | Squatinidae |
| Genus | Squatina |
| Scientific Name | S. nebulosa |
Description
The longest recorded specimen is 5.3 ft. These sharks have expendable necks and jaws that act like a trap. Inside their mouths, one can see long, needle-like teeth.
Clouded angelsharks have large eyes. Their nostrils are covered with smooth nasal flaps and have barbels that taper off.
Dorsally, these sharks have a brownish or bluish-black coloration. There are scattered light spots, black dots, and rounded black spots on the ends of the pectoral fins. The margins around the dorsal fins are light. When looked at from below, the shark is much lighter.
Where do they live
Map Of The Clouded Angelshark’s Habitat
This shark lives in the northwest Pacific Ocean from the southeastern Sea of Japan to Taiwan between 47° N and 22° N, with sightings in China, Japan, and Korea. Reports that this shark lives in the South China Sea require verification.
It appears to swim in deep water, at about 1083 ft.
Behavior
Hunting
These sharks most likely use their coloration to hide in the sand or mud of the ocean floor and ambush unsuspecting prey.
Reproductive
Not yet determined, but assumed to be ovoviviparous.
Interactions with humans
Due to heavy fishing pressure in its range, the clouded angelshark is classified as “Endangered” or “EN” by the IUCN.
