Parmaturus xaniurus (Gilbert, 1892)
Filetail catshark
photo by IfAME, NOAA's MBNMS, MARE

Family:  Pentanchidae (Deepwater catsharks)
Max. size:  45 cm TL (male/unsexed); 55 cm TL (female)
Environment:  bathydemersal; marine; depth range 88 - 1250 m
Distribution:  Eastern Central Pacific: central California, USA to the Gulf of California.
Diagnosis:   
Biology:  Found on the outer continental shelf and upper slope. Feeds on a variety of small fish (e.g. lanternfish) and invertebrates. Oviparous. Possesses an enlarged gill region which is an adaptation to areas with low dissolved oxygen levels. Has a high concentration of squalene in its liver which affords it neutral buoyancy. Regularly caught by bottom trawlers but not utilized at all.
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 24 November 2014 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless
Country info:   
 


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