Slender smooth-hound variety of benthic fishes and invertebrates, and also scavenges; human garbage has been reported among its stomach contents. Small bony fishes, lanternfishes in particular, are the most important prey type, followed by decapod crustaceans. Cephalopods, gastropods, isopods, brittle stars, dogfish sharks, and cartilaginous fish egg capsules may also be consumed. On the Challenger Plateau, cephalopods are an important food source for juveniles under long. Like the false catshark, the slender smooth-hound exhibits aplacental viviparity with oophagy, in a form different from that in the mackerel sharks. Mature females have a single functional ovary, on the right side, and two functional
Humpback smooth-hound the three species it is the humpback smooth-hound that is the main target of the tollo fishery in Peru. Landings averaging 11,000 tons of tollo per year were made in that country between 1965 and 1989, but quantities caught diminished thereafter. A minimum size requirement of was set in 2001 but was pitched so low as to have limited conservation effect. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has rated the status of the humpback smooth-hound as being "vulnerable" and considers more should be done to publicise and enforce the size limit. Humpback smooth-hound The humpback smooth-hound ("Mustelus whitneyi")