The pyjama shark

pyjama shark

Scientific name	Poroderma africanum
Descriptor	Gmelin
Year of description	1789
IUCN category (World)	LC
Family	Scyliorhinidae
Genus	Poroderma

Introduction

Poroderma africanum, commonly known as pyjama shark, is a salt water fish from the Océan Atlantique Est Afrique - Angulhas.

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Who is it?

Morphology

Type

shark
Average size

93 cm
Maximum size

101 cm
Shape

Rectangular
Pattern

horizontal stripes

Type

shark
Average size

93 cm
Maximum size

101 cm
Shape

Rectangular
Pattern

horizontal stripes

How to recognize the pyjama shark ?

Barbel fish

This fish has the particularity to possess several pairs of barbels, which allow him to search the bottom and to detect the food thus moved.

The pyjama shark measures between 93 and 101 cm. This fish is bicolore with a predominantly noir and gris body. The also has noir horizontal stripes.

Behaviour & Life cycle

diet

carnivorous
Sociability

living as a couple or alone
territorial

No
Way of living

nocturnal

The pyjama shark hunts in the stalk and is one of the predators of its biotope. Opportunistic, it does not hesitate to attack any smaller animal nearby.

The pyjama shark is a fish living as a couple or alone naturally found near the bottom. This species is carnivorous . This fish lives mainly at night. Usually, it leaves its hiding place and starts to be active once it gets dark.

Although the pyjama shark is non-territorial, it is sometimes aggressive towards other species.

Reproduction

Reproduction

ovipare interne

The pyjama shark is a fish ovipare interne.

Harmless species

This species does not represent any particular threats to humans when encountered in its natural environment.

Where to find it?

Origin

Countries

South Africa

Conservation status of populations (IUCN)

World : LC

Where to see this species?

What is its habitat?

Natural environment characteristics

Temperature

16 - 22 °C
Depth

1 - 100 m

Biotope presentation

The pyjama shark is most often found at a depth between 1m and 100m. However, it is not impossible to find this species at other depths.

Species of the same biotope

To go further

Species of the same family

To read on the web

Sources & Contributions

Participation & Validation

The Fishipedia team and specialist contributors are committed to providing high-quality content. However, although the information comes from scientific sources or testimonials from specialists, the cards may contain inaccuracies.

Adrien Falzon

Translation

Translation done with the valuable contribution of our translators, who make this information available to a wider audience. We sincerely thank them for their commitment.