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Filetail cat shark (Parmaturus xaniurus) — Scyliorhinidae

Filetail cat shark

Parmaturus xaniurus
LC · Least Concern

The Filetail cat shark (Parmaturus xaniurus) is a saltwater fish of the family Scyliorhinidae that grows up to 45 cm.

Length
45 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
88–1,250 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Northeast Pacific; outer continental shelf and upper slope.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The filetail catshark is a small catshark (Pentanchidae) from the northeastern Pacific. The species has a slender, brownish body with large, cat-like eyes and a row of enlarged, rough scales along the upper edge of the tail, to which the name refers. It lives near the bottom on the outer continental shelf and upper slope. It feeds on small fishes such as lanternfishes and on invertebrates. It lays egg cases. The species is small and harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Filetail cat shark?

The Filetail cat shark has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern. Row of rough, enlarged scales along the upper edge of the tail; small oviparous deep-water shark.

Where does the Filetail cat shark live?

The Filetail cat shark lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Northeast Pacific; outer continental shelf and upper slope.

How big does the Filetail cat shark get?

The Filetail cat shark grows to a maximum of about 45 cm.

Is the Filetail cat shark dangerous to humans?

No, the Filetail cat shark is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Filetail cat shark edible?

The Filetail cat shark is not usually eaten.

More photos

Filetail cat shark (Parmaturus xaniurus) — Scyliorhinidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) pootishedj, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Filetail cat shark (Parmaturus xaniurus) — Scyliorhinidae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — Unknown authorUnknown author (Public domain)

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All data

Identification

English name
Filetail cat shark verified
Scientific name
Parmaturus xaniurus
Family
Scyliorhinidae
Other names
Filetail catshark verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
88 verified
Max depth (m)
1,250 verified
Natural range
Northeast Pacific; outer continental shelf and upper slope.
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small fishes (including lanternfishes) and invertebrates sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary
Territorial
No
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known.
Special features
Row of rough, enlarged scales along the upper edge of the tail; small oviparous deep-water shark. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed.
Regulations source

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Parmaturus

More from the family Scyliorhinidae

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