Family: |
Pentanchidae (Deepwater catsharks) |
Max. size: |
61 cm TL (male/unsexed); 43.2 cm TL (female) |
Environment: |
bathydemersal; marine; depth range 1000 - 2200 m |
Distribution: |
Southeast Atlantic: off the Orange River to Cape Agulhas, South Africa. Elsewhere known from the North Atlantic. |
Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 0-0; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 0-0. A stout, plain catshark with small eyes, a long thick and broad snout, and long labial furrows; mouth projecting well in front of eyes; pectoral fins very short (Ref. 5578). Uniformly black or dark to medium brown or grey; no markings (Ref. 5578). |
Biology: |
Found on the continental slope, on or near the bottom (Ref. 244). Feeds on small bony fish, shrimp, squid, and possibly other sharks (Ref. 5578). Oviparous (Ref. 50449). |
IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 25 April 2018 Ref. (130435)
|
Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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