Spotted Estuary Smooth-hound

Fascinating facts about the Spotted Estuary Smooth-hound

• A 2025 study revealed that this shark can actually make its own “click” sounds, something no other shark has been shown to do, showing that sharks might communicate in ways we’ve only just begun to hear.
• Males can grow up to 125 cm (49 in) while females can reach 151 cm (59 in).
• It lives on New Zealand’s continental shelves and in its estuaries.
• It is commonly served in fish-and-chip shops in New Zealand as “lemonfish.”
• In June 2018 the Department of Conservation listed it as “not threatened” but added the tag “conservation dependent,” a reminder that its future still relies on continued human stewardship.

At a glance

About the Spotted Estuary Smooth-hound

The spotted estuary smooth-hound (Mustelus lenticulatus), known to Māori as makō, glides along New Zealand’s continental shelves and into its estuarine waterways, its sleek, gray-brown body marked by a subtle pattern of dark spots that give the shark its name. Males reach up to 125 cm (49 in) while females grow larger, attaining 151 cm (59 in), a dimorphism that hints at their reproductive strategy. Like its close relative, the Australian gummy shark, this houndshark is a bottom-dweller, hunting small bony fish, crustaceans and cephalopods with a series of gentle, grinding bites that reflect its smooth-hound lineage. Its eyes sit high on the head, providing a wide field of view as it patrols the murky, nutrient-rich waters where river outflows meet the sea. In 2025 researchers documented a startling capability: the rig produces active “click” sounds, the first known shark species to generate acoustic signals purposefully, suggesting a hidden layer of communication in these often-overlooked predators. Beyond its ecological role, the spotted estuary smooth-hound has become a familiar sight on New Zealand fish-and-chip menus, sold under the colloquial name “lemonfish.” Its commercial value has spurred modest fisheries, yet the species remains abundant enough to support both the market and the estuarine ecosystems it inhabits, leaving scientists eager to uncover what other secrets lie beneath its unassuming exterior.

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