Centroscyllium fabricii (Black dogfish)

(Reinhardt, 1825)

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

Centroscyllium fabricii (Black dogfish)) [Illustration by Ann Hecht ©]

Identification

A dark brown or blackish, soft-skinned dogfish with multicuspid small weak teeth in both jaws. Skin often scuffed and white when trawled; juveniles have white fin margins.

Size

To 84 cm TL.

Range

Namibia to Quoin Point.

Habitat

Upper slope at 700 to 1016 m.

Biology

An abundant deepwater schooling shark. Live bearing. Feeds on euphausids, shrimp, squid, barracudinas, lanternfish, and jellyfish.

Human Impact

None.

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