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the web of life in southern Africa

Eridacnis sinuans (African ribbontail catshark)

(Smith, 1957)

Life > Eukaryotes > Opisthokonta > Metazoa (animals) > Bilateria > Deuterostomia > Chordata > Craniata > Vertebrata (vertebrates)  > Gnathostomata (jawed vertebrates) > Chondrichthyes > Elasmobranchii > Galeomorphii > Carcharhiniformes > Proscylliidae

Eridacnis sinuans (African ribbontail catshark) [Illustration by Ann Hecht ©]

Identification

A dwarf, slender grey-brown shark with two equal-sized dorsal fins and a long tapelike caudal fin.

Size

To 37 cm TL.

Range

East coast, central Natal and southern Mozambique; also Tanzania.

 
 

 

Habitat

Upper slope in warm-temperate and tropical waters on or near the bottom at 180 to 480 m.

Biology

Common off Natal and Mozambique. Bears two young. Feeds mainly on small bony fish, crustaceans, and cephalopods.

Human Impact

None.

Text by Leonard J.V. Compagno, David A. Ebert and Malcolm J. Smale