Common Angelshark

Quick Take

• This shark looks nothing like a shark, and that disguise is the key to how it hunts. See the disguised body →
• Angelsharks have a hidden sensory ability that makes them far more dangerous predators than they appear. Discover the hunting senses →
• Once one of the most common sharks in European waters, something pushed this species to the edge of extinction in just a century. See the population decline →
• Called a 'gentle' shark, the angelshark still comes with a serious warning divers should know before getting close. Check the safety warning →

The common angelshark is a species of nocturnal bottom-dwelling shark that used to be quite common in the Mediterranean Sea and the Northeast Atlantic.

It is a type of “flat shark,” meaning the pelvic and pectoral fins are flat and wing-like, giving the shark an appearance similar to rays. Squatina squatina is the only species of angel shark that lives around the coast of the British Isles.

Along with other members of their genus, angelsharks are among the most threatened of all sharks and rays due to massive overfishing and habitat degradation. The Angelshark’s range has contracted by more than 80% in the past century.

5 Angelshark Facts

• Flat Sharks: Angelsharks are characterized by their batoid shape (they have a flat, disk-like body similar to a ray or skate).
• Only species in the British Isles: The common Angelshark (Squatina squatina) is the only member of the Angel Shark genus that lives around the coast of the British Isles.
• Ambush predators: Angelsharks are ambush predators. They rely on camouflage to hide until prey gets close enough to attack.
• Shrinking range: The Angelshark’s range has contracted by more than 80% in the past century. The species is now rare in many areas where it used to be common. 
• Gentle sharks: The Angelshark is typically not aggressive towards humans. However, it can still deliver a severe bite if provoked. 

Classification and Scientific Name

The name Angelshark applies to both a species of fish and the genus they belong to. The scientific name of the common Angelshark is Squatina squatina.

They belong to the genus Squatina along with 21 other angel shark species. The Angelshark is a member of the family Squatinidae, a group of unusual sharks known for their flattened body and broad pectoral fins. This genus, Squatina, is the only genus in this family and the order Squatiniformes as well. 

The name Squatina is derived from the Latin word for skate. French zoologist André Duméril adapted it as the genus name for all angel sharks in 1806, even though it originally belonged to the common Angelshark alone.

The species also goes by other common names, such as monkfish.

Appearance 

Like all other members of their family, Angelsharks are characterized by a batoid shape. They have a flattened body, and their pectoral fins form a flat wing-like structure with anterior lobes that are not fused to their head. This gives their entire body a broad and stocky appearance that looks a lot like rays or skate fish. Their eyes are positioned on the upper surface of their body. 

The Angelshark is the largest member of its family. Females are typically larger, reaching up to 2.4 m (7.9 ft), compared to an average length of 1.8 m (5.9 ft) for males. The maximum reported weight of an Angelshark is 80 kg (180 lb). 

While the common Angelshark is similar in appearance to other members of its family, it has some distinct differences. The most notable difference is the presence of simple conical nasal barbels. The pectoral fins are also higher and wider, and it has small spines on the snout and above its eyes. 

The Angelshark’s coloration is typically gray to reddish, and can also be greenish brown. Most individuals have small black-and-white spots all over their bodies. Juveniles typically have more color patterns than adults.  

Distribution, Population, and Habitat

The common Angelshark is a bottom-dwelling shark species that spends most of its time buried in coastal and outer-continental shelf sediments. The shark’s most notable habitat is in the Mediterranean Sea and Eastern Atlantic, where it typically occupies brackish waters and estuaries. They are typically found in water depths of 16 to 492 feet. 

Due to a steep observed decline in the Angelshark population, the IUCN has categorized the species as critically endangered. According to estimates, the Angelshark population has decreased by more than 80% in the past century. The ongoing threat from commercial fisheries and the species’ slow reproductive rate mean recovery will be difficult. 

Where to Find Angelsharks

Historically, Angelsharks were quite common in the temperate waters of the northeast Atlantic, Mediterranean, and Black Seas. Today, their range is shrinking rapidly. According to the IUCN Red List, this species may now be locally extinct in the North Sea.

Their remaining strongholds are the Canary Islands, the coast of the British Isles, and the Mediterranean. Here, divers and fishers still spot them regularly. 

Predators and Prey

Angel sharks are most active at night when they hunt by ambushing prey. They camouflage themselves by hiding in sediment until prey swims close, and then attack. Scientists also believe that Angelsharks can use their sensitive barbels to detect the electric fields produced by other animals. 

What Eats Angelsharks? 

Humans are the main threat to the population of Angelsharks. Both commercial and artisanal fisheries affect this shark species. 

What Do Angelsharks Eat? 

The Angelshark’s diet consists of a range of fish, crustaceans, mollusks, and even aquatic birds. This shark feeds most commonly on bottom-dwelling bony fishes such as flatfish. However, they can also prey on cartilaginous fish and invertebrates. 

Reproduction and Lifespan

Not much is known about the reproduction, growth, and lifespan of the common Angelshark. However, like other shark species, they are aplacental viviparous. This means the young hatch inside the mother’s uterus, where they are nourished by a yolk sac until they are born alive. 

Female Angelsharks typically give birth to about 7 to 25 live pups on a 2- or 3-year reproductive cycle. The gestation period of the Angelshark is about 8 to 12 months.

Newborns typically measure about 24 to 30 cm (9.4 to 11.8 in) in length. They become sexually mature between 8 and 13 years of age.

Fishing and Cooking

Due to their sedentary, bottom-dwelling lifestyle, angel sharks are typically caught in demersal and trawl fisheries. In many cases, they are caught accidentally. However, humans may fish for Angelsharks intentionally as well. 

In fact, humans have eaten Angelsharks for thousands of years, with references to their light, easily digestible meat dating back several centuries.

Today, because of their endangered status, Angelsharks are protected across much of their range and are listed as a prohibited species in many regions. However, they may still be caught as bycatch or in areas with less stringent protections.