The Filetail Catshark: The Shark Beauty

selim12 March 18, 2024 0 Comments

Today, our deep sea creature is the filetail catshark,scientifcally known as Parmaturus xaniurus, this shark roams the deep ocean and it’s rarely seen!

Table of Contents

Who Discovered It?

The filetail catshark (Parmaturus xaniurus) was originally described by Gilbert in 1892.

Where The Filetail Catshark Is Found?

This is an eastern Pacific shark found from Oregon to the Gulf of California starting at depths from 91 to 1251 meters deep but juveniles are found in depths about 500 meters, they are also found 300 meters deep by ROVs.

Description And Size:

This species of shark is relatively small(30 to 61 cm) long smaller than other shark speciess. It gets its name from the toothlike projections on its skin. The head is flat and the body is slim. The teeth are small with several rows on each jaw. They have large eyes turning green on light reflection. The pectoral fin is small equal to the anal fin and larger than the dorsal fin. The fins have dusky tips. They have also a brown dorsal coloration. Females are larger than males with 47-55 cm while males are 37-45cm.

Diet Of The Filetail Catshark:

It feeds on small fish and invertebrates.

Behavior Of The Filetail Catshark:

Their body is adapted to the deepwater habitat. They have larger gills than other sharks to adapt to lower oxygen levels underwater. They are solitary sharks found on the soft mud bottoms. They rely on carcharhiniform to move: It’s like an eel-like movement increasing speed resulting in a highly rapid effective prey attack, this shark can’t miss its victim!

Reproduction and Lifespan:

The reproductive period lasts from July through September. Their reproduction cycle is less frequent than other sharks but they live longer. They are oviparous and females laying eggs in pairs. The gestation period(the period it takes for eggs to hatch) can reach 2 years. The hatchlings are 9 cm long.

Conservation Status:

This fish is not targeted by commercial fisheries or utilized for human consumption, but it is sometimes caught in accidental catch in bottom trawl fisheries. It is the least concern on the e IUCN lists.

Cool Facts:

*They can grow up to 60 cm long.

*They have eye-reflecting eyes just like a cat to see in darkness and hunt effectively.

*Despite rare contact with humans and fisheries.

This filetail shark is no usual shark, it’s a rare species and needs more protection and observation for further studies. Amazing and beautiful shark!!