Home · Proscylliidae · Pygmy ribbontail catshark
Pygmy ribbontail catshark (Eridacnis radcliffei) — Proscylliidae

Pygmy ribbontail catshark

Eridacnis radcliffei
Family: Proscylliidae

The Pygmy ribbontail catshark (Eridacnis radcliffei) is a saltwater fish of the family Proscylliidae that grows up to 23 cm.

Length
23 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
71.0–766.0 m
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The pygmy ribbontail catshark is one of the smallest sharks in the world (Proscylliidae), from slope waters of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 23 cm and has a very slender, grey-brown body with dark band markings on the long, ribbon-like tail. As a bottom-dweller of the deep continental margin it hunts small crustaceans, small fish and squid. It is livebearing. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Pygmy ribbontail catshark?

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

Where does the Pygmy ribbontail catshark live?

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

How big does the Pygmy ribbontail catshark get?

The Pygmy ribbontail catshark grows to a maximum of about 23 cm.

Is the Pygmy ribbontail catshark dangerous to humans?

No, the Pygmy ribbontail catshark is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Dwergrugstreep-kathaai sourced
English name
Pygmy ribbontail catshark sourced
Scientific name
Eridacnis radcliffei
Family
Proscylliidae
Other names
Pygmy ribbontail catshark verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
23.0 verified
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
Min depth (m)
71.0 verified
Max depth (m)
766.0 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 Eridacnis

More from the family Proscylliidae

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