Broadsnout Lanternshark

About the Broadsnout Lanternshark

The broad-snout lanternshark is a species of dogfish shark found around Taiwan. Like all lanternsharks, they’re small deep water sharks known for the light-producing photophores on their bodies. The photophores are concentrated mostly on their belly and it works as counter illumination, making the shark seem brighter to match their backgrounds. This makes it easier for the lanternshark to stalk prey. They feed on small fish and invertebrates.

They’re ovoviviparous and grow to a maximum length of 40 cm, but little else is known about their biology.

They have been caught at depths of 300 – 600 m.

This is a species of concern since trawl fisheries are active in their depth range. However, there is not enough confirmation to assess their population health. Their conservation status is “Data Deficient.”

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