1. Greek: leptos = thin; charis = grace, pleasing
Leptochariidae
Barbeled Houndshark
Greek: leptos = thin; charis = grace, pleasing

2. Diagnostic Features Up to 82 cm TL
Barbels formed from anterior nostril flaps
Light grey or grey-brown
Horizontally oval eyes and nictitating eyelids
Two small, spineless, almost equal-sized dorsal fins
First dorsal fin on the back between pectoral and pelvic fins
Small spiracles

3. Distribution and Habitat
Eastern Atlantic– Mauritania to Namibia
Demersal, muddy bottoms
Tropical
Continental shelf m
Marine and brackish

4. Reproduction Viviparous 7 younger per litter
Population doubling time: 14 years minimum
Sexual dimorphism: males have enlarged anterior dentition

5. Food
Teleosts
Crustaceans
Octopi
Sponges

6. Human Interaction Some fisheries, mainly bycatch
Used fresh, salted, or dried for consumption
Skin for leather
IUCN: Low risk/Near threatened

8. References
Compagno, L.J.V., FAO species catalogue. Vol. 4. Sharks of the world. An annotated and illustrated catalogue of shark species known to date. Part 2 - Carcharhiniformes. FAO Fish. Synop. 125 (4/2):
Diebakate, C and Raibaut, A. (2000). Eudactylina leptochariae n. sp (Copepoda, Eudactylinidae) a branchial parasite of Leptocharias smithii (Muller & Henle, 1839) (Pisces, Leptochariidae) off the coast of Senegal. Crustaceana 72 (2):
Picon, R. (1962). Recherches sur la differenciation sexulle de lembryon de Leptocharias smithii (Muller et Henle) elasmobranche. ARCHIVES D ANATOMIE MICROSCOPIQUE ET DE MORPHOLOGIE 52 (4): 541.