African Sawtail Catshark

A long-nosed, dwarf catshark with a narrow head, large eyes, and small labial furrows; upper caudal fin margin with prominent crest of enlarged sawtooth-like denticles (Ref. 5578). Pale brown, paler ventrally; juveniles have dark saddles that become less prominent in adults (Ref. 5510).

Eggs are sometimes fertilized internally by accident via close apposition of gonopores in otherwise oviparous fishes and may be retained within the female's body and complete some of the early stages of embryonic development. Embryos feed solely on yolk (Ref. 50449). Bears up to 12 young (Ref. 5578), size at birth 11-12 cm (Ref. 5510).

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 0; Analspines: 0; Analsoft rays: 0

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.

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 (Ref. 50449). Tolerates bottom with low oxygen levels (Ref. 5578). Utilized fresh (Ref. 244).

fisheries: minor commercial; price category: low; price reliability: very questionable: based on ex-vessel price for species in this family