African chimaera (Hydrolagus africanus)

Scientific name: Hydrolagus africanus Gilchrist, 1922

African chimaera (Hydrolagus africanus)

The African chimaera (Hydrolagus africanus) is a marine fish of the family Chimaeridae. Native range: Western Indian Ocean, off Kenya, Mozambique and Natal, South Africa.

Biology

Dorsal spines: 1; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 0. A shortnose chimaera with the dorsal fin spine longer than the head; 2nd dorsal fin with distinct concavity in the middle.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Hydrolagus africanus
Family
Chimaeridae (Shortnose chimaeras or ratfishes)
Order
Chimaeriformes (Chimaeras)
Class
Holocephali (Chimaeras)
Maximum length
67.0
Depth range
421–750 m (1381–2461 ft)
Environment
Marine; bathydemersal; depth range 421 - 750 m
Climate
Deep-water
Distribution
Western Indian Ocean: off Kenya, Mozambique and Natal, South Africa.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Data deficient (DD)
Threat to humans
Venomous
Uses
Fisheries: of no interest
Resilience
Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (Assuming Fec

Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

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