Very small catshark with broad arched mouth and conspicuous teeth; specialist characters separate it from H. punctatus and H. melanostigma. Marine bottom-associated shelf/slope habitats; type-region records include depths around 246 m. Sparse capture depths do not define a full range.
Wildlife education
This record supports wildlife education. Aquarium-care questions are not assigned to this profile.
Wildlife education profile; reviewed natural-history sources do not establish a captive operating protocol.
Wildlife reference; no home-aquarium stocking recommendation or validated captive operating protocol is supplied. Public-aquarium photographs document living animals, not suitability for private keeping.
Outstanding care evidence
- Institutional lifetime husbandry and veterinary protocol
Identification
Very small catshark with broad arched mouth and conspicuous teeth; specialist characters separate it from H. punctatus and H. melanostigma.
Names and Classification
Accepted species described in 2006; previously confused with other izak catsharks. No formal synonymy with those species adopted.
Adult Size
Known specimens approximately 27.3 cm male and 25.7 cm female total length; these specimen maxima are not typical adult sizes.
Distribution and Habitat
Western Indian Ocean, confirmed Kenyan records and later southern Mozambique record; full extent remains uncertain. Marine bottom-associated shelf/slope habitats; type-region records include depths around 246 m. Sparse capture depths do not define a full range.
Feeding and Ecological Role
Unknown from reliable species-specific observations. Poorly sampled small shark; sparse collections do not establish population rarity or extinction.
Reproduction and Life History
Reproductive mode and parameters are insufficiently documented here.
Conservation
Data Deficient (IUCN global; Assessed 24 April 2018; published 2019). Global IUCN category; national listings are separate. Sparse or old records do not establish extinction. Taxonomic revisions limit transfer of older biological data.
Responsible Observation
Observe without chasing, feeding, touching or obstructing the animal. Keep fins and equipment off resting rays and sharks; give sawfishes and wedgefishes room to move. Follow the site’s local wildlife rules and use responsible dive operators.
About the Photographs
No freely reusable photograph of a verified living specimen was found in this search. The target of at least three photographs remains unmet. Dead or preserved specimens, drawings and uncertain identifications were excluded.
Aquarium Suitability
Wildlife education only. This marine elasmobranch is outside home-aquarium stocking and care guidance. Wild range and diet are not a captive operating protocol; this profile does not infer tank dimensions, water settings, acquisition advice or an institutional welfare plan.
Evidence Gaps
Evidence gaps include: Full range, abundance, age, maturity, diet and reproductive mode are poorly known.
A living record
Natural history, taxonomy and global conservation categories checked against the linked sources. Habitat measurements are not captive care settings. Each photograph has separate identity, living-status and rights evidence. Public content last reviewed October 17, 2026.
- Primary genus revision ↗Reference source
- IUCN global assessment ↗Reference source
- FishBase source-linked account ↗Reference source
- Primary regional conservation study ↗Reference source
- Shark-References — species and taxonomic synonyms ↗Reference source