Fish crepuscular

Starry Smooth-hound

Mustelus asterias

The Starry Smooth-hound is a graceful, spotted wanderer of the Atlantic's coastal shallows. Recognizable by its 'star-dusted' back and gentle nature, this crab-hunting specialist is a favorite for underwater explorers.

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Quick Identification

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Size

Typically 100–140 cm (3.3–4.6 ft) in length; weight usually ranges from 5–13 kg (11–28 lbs).

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Colors

Greyish-brown or olive-grey back peppered with numerous small, distinct white spots; belly is a contrasting creamy white.

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Key Features

Distinctive white 'starry' spots scattered across the dorsal side
Two large dorsal fins of roughly equal size without defensive spines
Short, blunt snout with a mouth containing flat, crushing plates
Slender, streamlined shark profile with large, cat-like eyes

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern crepuscular

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Peak hours Dusk and dawn (low-light periods), though active throughout the day in deeper or turbid water.

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Season May-September (when they move into shallow coastal areas)

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Diet A specialized predator of crustaceans; its diet consists almost entirely of crabs, lobsters, shrimp, and occasionally small mollusks or bottom-dwelling bony fish.

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Habitat Coastal marine environments, specifically preferring sandy, shingle, or gravelly sea floors at depths ranging from the shoreline down to 200 meters.

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Behavior

The Starry Smooth-hound is a social and migratory species of houndshark that favors the coastal waters of the Northeast Atlantic. Unlike the more aggressive reputation of their larger cousins, these sharks are quite docile and spend much of their time cruising the seabed in search of prey. They are known to form loose schools, particularly during the summer months when they move into shallower inshore waters to feed and give birth to live young.

These sharks are highly adapted for bottom-dwelling life. Instead of the sharp, pointed teeth seen in many sharks, the Starry Smooth-hound possesses rows of flattened grinding plates. This 'smooth' dentition is perfectly designed for crushing the hard shells of crabs and lobsters. To humans, they are entirely harmless and are often a thrill for coastal observers or divers who catch a glimpse of them gliding over sandy or gravelly bottoms.

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Camera Tips

Capturing the Starry Smooth-hound requires a specialized approach since they are entirely aquatic. If you have a 'backyard' that borders a pier, jetty, or a shallow bay, an underwater action camera or a submerged trail camera is your best tool. Mount your camera to a weighted base or a pier piling, positioning it about 12 to 18 inches above the seabed. Aim the lens horizontally across a sandy clearing—these sharks prefer open 'highways' between kelp forests or rocky reefs.

To guarantee a sighting, use a scent lure. A mesh chum bag filled with crushed oily fish (like mackerel or herring) or smashed green crabs is irresistible to them. Secure the bait bag roughly 3 to 5 feet in front of the lens. The Starry Smooth-hound has an incredible sense of smell and will follow the scent trail directly to your camera. Ensure the bait is positioned so the shark must pass through the frame to reach it, rather than hovering directly on top of the lens.

Lighting is the biggest challenge underwater. While these sharks are most active at dawn and dusk, the best footage often comes from midday when natural light penetrates the water column. If filming at night, use high-intensity infrared or a diffused red LED light to avoid 'spooking' the fish. Standard white lights can sometimes cause the shark to flee or result in 'backscatter' where the light reflects off particles in the water, obscuring the subject.

Pay close attention to the tides. The hour surrounding high tide is often the most productive, as the increased water depth encourages the sharks to move closer to the shore. Additionally, 'slack water' (the period when the tide isn't moving) results in less silt and debris being kicked up, giving you the clearest possible image. Always double-check the waterproof seals on your camera housing and use a tether line to ensure your equipment doesn't get swept away by a strong current.

Similar Species

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

Common Smooth-hound

Almost identical in shape but lacks the white starry spots across its back.

Spiny Dogfish

Has sharp spines in front of both dorsal fins and lacks the blunt, crushing plates of the smooth-hound.

Frequently Asked Questions

Starry Smooth-hound are primarily crepuscular, meaning they are most active during the low-light transitions of dawn and dusk. However, they will hunt throughout the day if the water is murky or deep enough to provide cover.

The most effective way to attract them is by using a scent-based lure. A mesh bag filled with crushed crabs or oily fish like mackerel will release a scent trail that these sharks can follow from a significant distance.

Their diet is almost exclusively made up of crustaceans. They use their specialized flat, crushing teeth to break through the shells of shore crabs, hermit crabs, and small lobsters.

Yes, they are very common in the Northeast Atlantic, especially during the summer months when they migrate into shallow bays and estuaries to feed and give birth.

The most reliable way is the presence of white spots. The Starry Smooth-hound is covered in small, white 'stars,' whereas the Common Smooth-hound (Mustelus mustelus) is usually a uniform grey or brown without any spots.

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