| Family: |
Pentanchidae (Deepwater catsharks) |
| Max. size: |
45 cm TL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
bathydemersal; marine; depth range 200 - 720 m |
| Distribution: |
Eastern Atlantic: southern Morocco to Namibia (Ref. 244). |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 0-0; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 0-0. A long-nosed, dwarf catshark with a narrow head, large eyes, and small labial furrows; upper caudal fin margin with prominent crest of enlarged sawtooth-like denticles (Ref. 5578). Pale brown, paler ventrally; juveniles have dark saddles that become less prominent in adults (Ref. 5510). |
| Biology: |
Found on the outermost shelf and upper slope. Feeds mainly on small bony fish, including lanternfish, hakes, grenadiers, rockfish and lightfish, also squid and crustaceans. Ovoviviparous (Ref. 50449). Tolerates bottom with low oxygen levels (Ref. 5578). Utilized fresh (Ref. 244). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Vulnerable (VU); Date assessed: 31 August 2020 (A2d) Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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