Smalleye pygmy shark (Squaliolus aliae)

Scientific name: Squaliolus aliae Teng, 1959

Smalleye pygmy shark (Squaliolus aliae)

The Smalleye pygmy shark (Squaliolus aliae) is a marine fish of the family Dalatiidae. Native range: Western Pacific, Japan to Australia (off northwestern Australia and New South Wales).

Biology

Possibly the smallest living shark. Found near continental and island land masses. Feeds mainly on cephalopods and small midwater bony fishes. Probably makes diurnal vertical migrations from within 200 m of the surface at night down to about 2,000 m during the day. Ovoviviparous.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Squaliolus aliae
Family
Dalatiidae (Sleeper sharks)
Order
Squaliformes (Bramble, Sleeper and Dogfish sharks)
Class
Elasmobranchii (Sharks and Rays)
Maximum length
22.0
Depth range
200–2000 m (656–6562 ft)
Environment
Marine; bathypelagic; depth range 200 - 2000 m
Climate
Deep-water
Distribution
Western Pacific: Japan to Australia (off northwestern Australia and New South Wales).
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.

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