Roughtail catshark (Galeus arae)

Scientific name: Galeus arae Nichols, 1927

The Roughtail catshark (Galeus arae) is a marine fish of the family Scyliorhinidae. In the aquarium it needs water at 5–11°C (41–52°F). Native range: Western Central Atlantic, South Carolina to Florida (USA), northern Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean coast from Belize to Nicaragua.

Roughtail catshark care at a glance

Temperature: 5–11°C (41–52°F)

Biology

Presence of caudal crest of large denticles. Ground tint pale yellowish brown, strikingly marked along sides and back with row of dark brown blotches and spots.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Galeus arae
Family: Scyliorhinidae (Cat sharks)
Order: Carcharhiniformes (Ground sharks)
Class: Elasmobranchii (Sharks and Rays)
Maximum length: 36.0
Depth range: 250–750 m (820–2461 ft)
Environment: Marine; bathydemersal; depth range 250 - 750 m
Climate: Deep-water
Distribution: Western Central Atlantic: South Carolina to Florida (USA), northern Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean coast from Belize to Nicaragua.
Conservation status (IUCN): Least Concern (LC)
Threat to humans: Harmless
Uses: Fisheries: of no interest
Resilience: Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (Fec assumed to be

Sources

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

Last updated 27 September 2026