Leafscale gulper shark (Centrophorus squamosus)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Centrophorus squamosus
- Common name
- Leafscale gulper shark
- Category
- Fish
- Family
- Centrophoridae
- Genus
- Centrophorus
- Size
- 100–165 cm
- Depth
- 230–2400 m
- IUCN status
- Endangered (EN)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- open-water
- Behaviours
- solitary
- Ocean zones
- Caribbean, East Atlantic, Eastern Pacific, Macaronesia
Description
Centrophorus squamosus reaches 1.65 m. Deep shark (Centrophoridae) Northeast and Northwest Atlantic, Indo-Pacific with elongated gray-brown body with very characteristic rough scaly skin (hence squamosus). Large first dorsal with spine, smaller second dorsal. Lives from 230 to 2400 m on continental slopes of North Atlantic, Indo-Pacific. Listed EN by IUCN following deep industrial overfishing for its very oil-rich liver (cosmetic industry notably, squalene). Longline commercial fishery. Rare recreational diving wide-angle photo subject for extreme depth.
Photo of Leafscale gulper shark
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Leafscale gulper shark?
- Leafscale gulper shark (Centrophorus squamosus) reaches 100–165 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Leafscale gulper shark?
- Leafscale gulper shark is found between 230–2400 m deep.
- Is the Leafscale gulper shark dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Leafscale gulper shark?
- IUCN status: Endangered (EN).
- Where can you find the Leafscale gulper shark?
- Found in: Caribbean, East Atlantic, Eastern Pacific, Macaronesia.
Other species in the genus Centrophorus
Other species in the family Centrophoridae
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 105901)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 5216430)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia