| Family: |
Chimaeridae (Shortnose chimaeras or ratfishes) |
| Max. size: |
150 cm TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 2,500.0 g |
| Environment: |
bathydemersal; marine; depth range 40 - 1400 m, oceanodromous |
| Distribution: |
Eastern Atlantic: northern Norway and Iceland, Skagerrak and Kattegat south to Morocco including western Mediterranean (some isolated records from eastern part), Azores and Madeira Islands. Records from South Africa are questionable. Reported from Oshima, Japan (FMNH 89161) (Ref. 27954). |
| Diagnosis: |
|
| Biology: |
Bathydemersal to benthopelagic generally between 300 and 500 m depth. Found in the upper continental slope. Usually found in deeper waters in southern latitudes, while making a summer inshore migration up to 40-100 m in the northern areas. Sluggish, usually occurring in small groups. Feeds mainly on bottom-living invertebrates. The single dorsal spine is sharp and pointed, and although only mildly venomous can inflict a painful wound. Oviparous. Males have a clasper on the forehead that is probably used to hold on to the female during copulation. Egg capsules are about 17 cm long; young look alike adults and hatch when 10 cm long. Common by-catch when trawling for shrimps in the North Sea or Skaggerak. |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Vulnerable (VU); Date assessed: 02 September 2019 (A2bd) Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
traumatogenic |
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