Hydrolagus novaezealandiae (Fowler, 1911)
Dark ghost shark
Hydrolagus novaezealandiae
photo by SeaFIC

Family:  Chimaeridae (Shortnose chimaeras or ratfishes)
Max. size:  96 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  bathydemersal; marine; depth range 25 - 950 m
Distribution:  Southwest Pacific: endemic to New Zealand.
Diagnosis:  Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 0-0. Dark grey dorsally, with silver-white markings, pale silver-grey ventrally (Ref. 26346).
Biology:  Inhabits the outer continental shelf and upper slope (Ref. 26346). Feeds on crustaceans, shellfish, worms and small fish (Ref. 26346). Maximum length 87 cm without tail filament (Ref. 26346), assumed to have 96 cm TL. Marketed as fillets (Ref. 26346).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 20 June 2017 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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