Hydrolagus africanus (Gilchrist, 1922)
African chimaera
Hydrolagus africanus
photo by Le Noury, P.

Family:  Chimaeridae (Shortnose chimaeras or ratfishes)
Max. size:  67 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  bathydemersal; marine; depth range 421 - 750 m
Distribution:  Western Indian Ocean: off Kenya, Mozambique and Natal, South Africa.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 1-1; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 0-0. A shortnose chimaera with the dorsal fin spine longer than the head; 2nd dorsal fin with distinct concavity in the middle (Ref. 5578).
Biology:  Feeds on ophiuroids (Ref. 27637). Oviparous (Ref. 205). Eggs are encased in horny shells (Ref. 205).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 02 September 2019 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  venomous


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