Gray Smoothhound – Mustelus californicus. Other names: dogfish, paloma, sand shark, gray shark.
Identifying Characteristics and Biology
- The gray smoothhound is in the shark family.
- It has a long, flattened snout with smooth edges on its back fin.
- Unlike the brown smoothhound with sharp teeth, the grays have blunt teeth.
- The coloring is gray or brownish gray on the top side fading to white on the bottom.
- They can reach up to 5 feet in length.
Range and Habitat
- These fish like the sandy shallows, and can be found Cape Mendocino, CA to south to Mazatlan, Mexico.
Market Forms
- While not a popular fish to catch, many anglers find them in the surf.