Fish Active day and night

Narrowfin Smooth-hound

Mustelus norrisi

iNaturalist Wikipedia

A sleek and slender specialist of the Atlantic shelf, the Narrowfin Smooth-hound is a harmless 'houndshark' known for its distinctive pointed snout and graceful bottom-cruising behavior.

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Quick Identification

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Size

Length up to 1.1 m (3.6 ft); typically weighs between 2.3-5.5 kg (5-12 lbs)

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Colors

Uniform grey to greyish-brown on the upper body with a pale, off-white underside; lacks the white spots seen on some other smooth-hound species

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Key Features

Long, narrow snout tapering to a rounded point
Slender, elongated body with two large dorsal fins
Smooth skin texture due to very fine dermal denticles
Blunt, molar-like teeth adapted for crushing shells
Large spiracles located directly behind the eyes

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern Active day and night

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Peak hours 8 PM - 4 AM

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Season Year-round

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Diet A specialized carnivore that primarily targets crustaceans such as crabs and shrimp, supplemented by small bony fish, squid, and marine worms.

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Habitat Subtropical continental shelves, specifically over sandy or muddy seafloors and occasionally near seagrass beds or estuaries.

Behavior

The Narrowfin Smooth-hound is a sophisticated bottom-dweller that spends its life navigating the sandy and muddy expanses of the continental shelf. As a member of the 'houndshark' family, it is known for its relatively social nature, often traveling in loose groups rather than remaining solitary. These sharks are entirely harmless to humans, possessing a shy temperament that typically leads them to swim away when approached by divers.

Foraging is the primary driver of their behavior, and they are most active during the nocturnal and crepuscular hours. They use their specialized snouts to probe the sediment for hidden prey. Unlike the apex predators of the open ocean, these sharks are built for the 'crunch,' using their powerful jaws and flat, grinding teeth to process hard-shelled invertebrates. They are viviparous, meaning they give birth to live young, usually in shallow nursery areas where the pups are protected from larger predators.

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Camera Tips

Capturing the Narrowfin Smooth-hound on camera requires a specialized underwater setup, typically mounted to a dock piling or a weighted seafloor tripod. For coastal 'backyard' observers with canal or beach access, the best placement is 1 to 2 feet above the seabed in a clearing between seagrass patches. Angling the camera slightly downward ensures you capture the shark's distinctive narrow snout and ground-hugging swimming style.

Scent is the most effective lure for this species. Using a 'chum pod'—a perforated PVC pipe or mesh bag filled with crushed crabs or oily fish like sardines—will create a scent trail that these sharks can follow from a significant distance. Secure the lure about 3 feet in front of the lens to ensure the shark enters the frame and pauses long enough for a clear identification.

Since these sharks are most active at night, your camera must have strong infrared (IR) or low-glow LED capabilities. Standard white light can be abrasive and may cause the shark to bank away quickly. If using a motion-triggered trail camera in an underwater housing, set the trigger interval to the shortest possible time, as these sharks often cruise by in a steady, continuous motion without stopping.

Water clarity is your biggest challenge in the shallow coastal areas this shark prefers. Aim to check your camera after a period of calm weather and incoming tides, which bring in clearer oceanic water. Set your camera to record in high definition with a frame rate of at least 60fps; this allows you to slow down the footage to observe the fine details of their skin and the specific shape of their dorsal fins, which are key for distinguishing them from other smooth-hounds.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Narrowfin Smooth-hound.

Dusky Smooth-hound

Has a much blunter snout and is generally larger, often with a more robust body than the Narrowfin.

Gulf Smooth-hound

Very similar but found in deeper waters; can be distinguished by the specific placement of the dorsal fins relative to the pelvic fins.

Blacktip Shark

Young blacktips may share the same habitat but have sharp, serrated teeth and distinctive black markings on their fin tips.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Narrowfin Smooth-hounds are primarily nocturnal and crepuscular, meaning they are most active during the night and at dawn and dusk when they move into shallower water to forage for crabs.

The most effective way to attract them is by using a scent lure, such as a mesh bag of crushed crustaceans or oily baitfish, secured near the camera's field of view on the seafloor.

Their diet consists almost entirely of bottom-dwelling invertebrates, specifically crabs and shrimp, which they crush using their specialized flat, grinding teeth.

Yes, they are commonly found on the continental shelf at depths ranging from the surface down to 100 meters, often entering shallow bays and estuaries.

The Narrowfin has a significantly more pointed and longer snout relative to its mouth width, and its second dorsal fin is proportionally larger compared to the Dusky Smooth-hound.

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