Habitat

Tropical and temperate sandy and muddy substrates often close to monumentation such as rocky reefs where food is available. From estuaries (occasionally), shallow bays and the continental shelf. From the intertidal zone to at least 150m.

Distribution

Northeast Atlantic and Mediterranean Sea. Found from Scotland to at least the Canary Islands and possibly further south along the west African coast. The historical range of the common angelshark extended to central Norway but it is now considered regionally extinct north and east of the British Isles. Distribution in the Mediterranean appears to be patchy.

Reproduction

Like other squatinids, the common angelshark is an aplacental viviparous species. 7-25 pups per litter. Gestation period approximately 8-10 months. Give birth from December to February in the Mediterranean and in July in the UK.

Diet

Feeds on small demersal fishes including flatfishes and skates, as well as crustaceans and mollusks. There is one record of a common angelshark swallowing a cormorant.

Behavior

Migratory; moving offshore or north during the summer. Angelsharks tagged off of the west coast of Ireland were re-caught in Northern Ireland, southern England, France, and Spain.

Reaction to divers

Easy to approach. Remains motionless, relying on camouflage. Will bolt if molested. There is a record of a disturbed angelshark circling a diver with its mouth open in a threat display.

Diving logistics

The common angelshark is anything but common. Due to intensive fisheries and bicatch, the only reliable place left to encounter angelsharks is at the Canary Islands; especially near Arinaga on the south side of Gran Canaria.
I also encountered an angelshark at the stingray feed at Los Gigantes on the southwest coast of Tenerife.

Once in the right location, the best way to search for angelsharks is to swim along the edge of the reef, about 2m above the sand, in rocky or kelpy areas where the sharks have sand they can hide under and access to a good supply of fishes.
Although the shark will likely be buried under a fine covering of sand, their outline is often somewhat visible. Even if the outline of the angelshark is obscured, they always keep their eyes and spiracles exposed. After a few encounters, you should be able to pick out the signs of a shark’s presence more easily.
Once you have located a shark, with slow, non-aggressive movements, it is usually possible to settle down next to it and gently fan away most of the sand to get a better look. This does not distress the animal or significantly waste its energy because one or two pectoral fin flaps will completely cover it again. Be careful not to wave your hand too close to its mouth to avoid a demonstration of its incredibly fast bite reflex!