Centrophorus granulosus (Gulper shark)

(Bloch & Schneider, 1801)

Life > Eukaryotes > Opisthokonta > Metazoa (animals) > Bilateria > Deuterostomia > Chordata > Craniata > Vertebrata (vertebrates)  > Gnathostomata (jawed vertebrates) > Chondrichthyes > Elasmobranchii > Squalomorphii > Squaliformes > Centrophoridae

Centrophorus granulosus (Gulper shark) [Illustration by Ann Hecht ©]

A small, slender, brownish-grey gulper shark with a long narrow snout, short 1st dorsal fin and high 2nd dorsal fin, usually very long pectoral rear tips, and small flat denticles. Underside light grey.

Size

To 1 m.

Range

West coast from Namibia to Hondeklip Bay, also southern Mozambique; widespread in most seas.

Habitat

Upper slopes at 274 to 480 m.

Biology

Common off Natal, rare on the west coast. Usually bears only 1 young. Feeds on bony fish and squid.

Human Impact

Occasionally caught by bottom trawlers.

Text by Leonard J.V. Compagno, David A. Ebert and Malcolm J. Smale