Centrophorus moluccensis Bleeker, 1860
Smallfin gulper shark
photo by FAO

Family:  Centrophoridae (Gulper sharks)
Max. size:  100 cm TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 2,400.0 g
Environment:  bathydemersal; marine; depth range 125 - 823 m
Distribution:  Indian Ocean: southern Mozambique and off Natal, South Africa (Ref. 5578); India (Ref. 31367). Western Pacific: Japan (Okinawa), Indonesia (Ambon), Philippines (Ref. 31367), Australia, New Hebrides, and New Caledonia.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 2-2; Dorsal soft rays (total): 0-0; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 0-0. A small, slender gulper shark with a long, narrow snout, a short-based 1st dorsal fin and a very small 2nd dorsal fin; pectoral rear tips elongated; denticles small and flat (Ref. 5578). Grayish brown dorsally, paler ventrally; fin of juveniles dark, with pale edges (Ref. 6577).
Biology:  Found on the outer continental shelves and upper slopes, on or near the bottom (Ref. 247). Feeds on bony fish, as well as other dogfish sharks, squid, octopus, shrimp, and tunicates (Ref. 247). Ovoviviparous (Ref. 50449). Utilized as fishmeal (Ref. 31367), for its meat, fins (low value) and liver oil (very high value) (Ref.58048).
IUCN Red List Status: Vulnerable (VU); Date assessed: 21 November 2019 (A2bd) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless
Country info:   
 


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