Fish
Nursehound
Scyliorhinus stellaris · also called large-spotted catshark, bull huss
In a dark gully on a rocky reef, a nursehound lies curled in a cave by day, its large dark spots blending with the rock.
Overview
The nursehound, Scyliorhinus stellaris, is a Near Threatened catshark of rocky seabeds and kelp beds in the north-eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean. Its size, large spots, and big egg cases make it the larger cousin of the small-spotted catshark.
The bigger catshark
Where the small-spotted catshark prefers sand and mud, the nursehound is a creature of rocky ground and kelp, and its larger egg cases are among the biggest mermaid’s purses found on beaches.
Status
Near Threatened, declining in parts of its range.
Nursehound: common questions
Is the nursehound the same as a bull huss?
Yes, bull huss is another common name for the nursehound, which is also called the large-spotted catshark.
How is it different from the small-spotted catshark?
It is larger, with a stouter body and bigger spots, and lays larger egg cases.
When is the nursehound active?
It rests in caves and crevices by day and becomes active at night.
Where is the nursehound found?
It lives on rocky seabeds and among kelp in the north-eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean, from Scotland and Ireland to West Africa.