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Parmaturus xaniurus (Gilbert, 1892) Filetail catshark |
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photo by
IfAME, NOAA's MBNMS, MARE |
| Family: | Pentanchidae (Deepwater catsharks) | |||
| Max. size: | 45 cm TL (male/unsexed); 55 cm TL (female) | |||
| Environment: | bathydemersal; marine; depth range 88 - 1250 m | |||
| Distribution: | Eastern Central Pacific: central California, USA to the Gulf of California. | |||
| Diagnosis: | ||||
| Biology: | Found on the outer continental shelf and upper slope. Feeds on a variety of small fish (e.g. lanternfish) and invertebrates. Oviparous. Possesses an enlarged gill region which is an adaptation to areas with low dissolved oxygen levels. Has a high concentration of squalene in its liver which affords it neutral buoyancy. Regularly caught by bottom trawlers but not utilized at all. | |||
| IUCN Red List Status: | Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 24 November 2014 Ref. (130435) | |||
| Threat to humans: | harmless | |||