African sawtail catshark (Galeus polli)

Scientific name: Galeus polli Cadenat, 1959

The African sawtail catshark (Galeus polli) is a marine fish of the family Scyliorhinidae. Native range: Eastern Atlantic, southern Morocco to Namibia.

Biology

Found on the outermost shelf and upper slope. Feeds mainly on small bony fish, including lanternfish, hakes, grenadiers, rockfish and lightfish, also squid and crustaceans. Ovoviviparous. Tolerates bottom with low oxygen levels. Utilized fresh.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Galeus polli
Family: Scyliorhinidae (Cat sharks)
Order: Carcharhiniformes (Ground sharks)
Class: Elasmobranchii (Sharks and Rays)
Maximum length: 45.0
Depth range: 200–720 m (656–2362 ft)
Environment: Marine; bathydemersal; depth range 200 - 720 m, usually 300 - 500 m
Climate: Deep-water
Distribution: Eastern Atlantic: southern Morocco to Namibia.
Conservation status (IUCN): Least Concern (LC)
Threat to humans: Harmless
Uses: Fisheries: minor commercial
Resilience: Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (Fec=12)

Sources

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

Last updated 27 September 2026