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Flathead catshark (Apristurus macrorhynchus) — Scyliorhinidae

Flathead catshark

Apristurus macrorhynchus

The Flathead catshark (Apristurus macrorhynchus) is a saltwater fish of the family Scyliorhinidae that grows up to 60 cm.

Length
60 cm
Water
Saltwater
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The flathead catshark is a deep-sea catshark (Pentanchidae) of the continental slope in the northwest Pacific, off East Asia. The species grows to about 60 cm and has a slender, soft-skinned, grey-brown body with a flattened, elongate snout and cat-like eyes. As a sluggish bottom-dweller of the depths it hunts small fish, squid and crustaceans and lays eggs in horny capsules. This deepwater shark is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Flathead catshark?

The Flathead catshark has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Flathead catshark live?

The Flathead catshark lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Flathead catshark get?

The Flathead catshark grows to a maximum of about 60 cm.

Is the Flathead catshark dangerous to humans?

No, the Flathead catshark is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Langsnuit-spookkathaai sourced
English name
Flathead catshark sourced
Scientific name
Apristurus macrorhynchus
Family
Scyliorhinidae
Other names
Flathead catshark verified

Appearance

Max length (cm)
60 sourced
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Apristurus

More from the family Scyliorhinidae

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