Etmopterus pusillus (Smooth lanternshark)

(Lowe, 1839)

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

Etmopterus pusillus (Smooth lanternshark) [Illustration by Ann Hecht ©]

Identification

A slim blackish-brown lanternshark with small, flat, smooth denticles, not arranged in lines. An obscure broad black mark running above, in front and behind the pelvic fins.

Size

To 47 cm TL.

Range

Namibia, off Cape Point, also Natal and Mozambique; elsewhere widespread in the Atlantic and Western Pacific.

Habitat

Continental slopes and open ocean, on or near the bottom at 274 to 699 m.

Biology

Uncommon. Feeds on fish eggs, lanternfish, squid and other small dogfish.

Human Impact

None.

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