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Whitefin dogfish (Centroscyllium ritteri) — Etmopteridae

Whitefin dogfish

Centroscyllium ritteri
Family: Etmopteridae

The Whitefin dogfish (Centroscyllium ritteri) is a saltwater fish of the family Etmopteridae that grows up to 43 cm.

Length
43 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
110.0–1100.0 m
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The whitefin dogfish is a small deep-sea dogfish (Etmopteridae) from the northwest Pacific, off Japan. The species grows to about 43 cm and has a stocky, black-brown body with light-producing organs (photophores), white-edged fins and a grooved spine before each dorsal fin. As a deep-sea dweller it lives on and above the continental slope between about one hundred and eleven hundred metres and hunts small fish, squid and crustaceans. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Whitefin dogfish?

The Whitefin dogfish has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly black.

Where does the Whitefin dogfish live?

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

How big does the Whitefin dogfish get?

The Whitefin dogfish grows to a maximum of about 43 cm.

Is the Whitefin dogfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Whitefin dogfish is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Witvinlantaarnhaai sourced
English name
Whitefin dogfish sourced
Scientific name
Centroscyllium ritteri
Family
Etmopteridae

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
43.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Black sourced
Tail shape
Crescent (lunate) inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
110.0 verified
Max depth (m)
1100.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

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 verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Centroscyllium

More from the family Etmopteridae

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