False Catshark, Pseudotriakis microdon Capella, 1868
Click to enlarge image
© M. McGrouther
Fast Facts
-
Classification
- Genus
- Pseudotriakis
- Species
- microdon
- Family
- Pseudotriakidae
- Order
- Carcharhiniformes
- Class
- Chondrichthyes
- Subphylum
- Vertebrata
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Kingdom
- Animalia
-
- Size Range
- Female False Catsharks grow to about 3 m in length. Males reach a maximum length of about 2.7 m.
Introduction
The False Catshark is a is a deep-sea ground shark with elongated cat-like eyes. It is found in continental slope and insular slope waters.
Identification
The False Catshark is a soft-bodied fish that has a long first dorsal fin and a small lower caudal fin lobe. It has elongated cat-like eyes and a very large mouth with a wide gape. The species is dark brown to grey. The fin edges may be darker.
Habitat
The False Catshark occurs in continental and insular slope waters usually in depths between 200 m and 1500 m. It is rarely caught over the continental shelf.
Distribution
The species is known from numerous localities in the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans.
The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. Click on the map for detailed information. Source: Atlas of Living Australia.
Feeding and diet
Prey items are yet to be confirmed but probably include bony fishes, sharks, rays and invertebrates.
References
- Compagno, L.J.V. 1984. FAO species catalogue. Vol. 4, Sharks of the World. An annotated and illustrated catalogue of shark species known to date. Part 2 - Carcharhiniformes: 251-655. \
- Fishbase: Pseudotriakis microdon. [Online January 2003].
- Tricas, T.C., McCosker, J.E., & T.I. Walker. in Taylor, L. (Ed). 1997. Sharks & Rays. Harper Collins. Pp.288.
