Black dogfish (Centroscyllium fabricii)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Centroscyllium fabricii
- Common name
- Black dogfish
- Category
- Fish
- Family
- Etmopteridae
- Genus
- Centroscyllium
- Size
- 60–110 cm
- Depth
- 100–1900 m
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- open-water
- Behaviours
- schooling
- Ocean zones
- East Atlantic
Description
Centroscyllium fabricii reaches 1.1 m. Small shark (Etmopteridae) North Atlantic (Greenland to Sahara, Northwest Atlantic) with uniformly purple-black fusiform body with bioluminescent photophores (ventral bioluminescence for anti-silhouette camouflage). Two dorsals with short spines. Lives from 100 to 1900 m in deep open water of North Atlantic. Sometimes forms dense schools. Moderate industrial commercial fishery. Rare wide-angle photo subject due to extreme habitat. Close cousin of Etmopterus spinax.
Photo of Black dogfish
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Black dogfish?
- Black dogfish (Centroscyllium fabricii) reaches 60–110 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Black dogfish?
- Black dogfish is found between 100–1900 m deep.
- Is the Black dogfish dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Black dogfish?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the Black dogfish?
- Found in: East Atlantic.
Other species in the family Etmopteridae
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 105906)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 2421020)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia