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Gulper shark (Centrophorus granulosus) — Centrophoridae

Gulper shark

Centrophorus granulosus
EN · Endangered

The Gulper shark (Centrophorus granulosus) is a saltwater fish of the family Centrophoridae that grows up to 170 cm.

Length
170 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
50.0–1500.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

The gulper shark is a deep-sea shark of the family Centrophoridae whose females reach about 165 cm. The body is uniformly brown to greyish-brown with large, green-shining eyes adapted to dim light. A spine stands in front of each of the two dorsal fins, and the first dorsal fin is notably long and low. The species lives on the outer continental shelf and upper slope, usually between 200 and 600 m, hunting bony fishes, squid and crustaceans. It is ovoviviparous and grows very slowly, which leaves the species assessed as Endangered owing to fishing pressure.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Gulper shark?

The Gulper shark has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Gulper shark live?

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

How big does the Gulper shark get?

The Gulper shark grows to a maximum of about 170 cm.

Is the Gulper shark dangerous to humans?

No, the Gulper shark is harmless to humans.

Is the Gulper shark edible?

The Gulper shark is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Snavelhaai verified
English name
Gulper shark verified
Scientific name
Centrophorus granulosus
Family
Centrophoridae
Other names
Gulper Shark; Gulper shark verified

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
170.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Plain sourced
Tail shape
Crescent (lunate) sourced
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No verified
Dorsal fins
Two separate sourced
Dorsal spines
Yes verified

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
50.0 verified
Max depth (m)
1500.0 verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore verified
Social behaviour
Solitary verified
Territorial
No verified
Reproduction
Separate sexes verified
Sexual dimorphism
No verified

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten verified
Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Centrophorus

More from the family Centrophoridae

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