Dwarf False Catshark

About the Dwarf False Catshark

Dwarf False Catsharks are small deepwater sharks that occur at depths between 560 to 1,120 m underwater. They are endemic to the Arabian Seas region and the only three recorded were off the coast of Socotra Island in the late 1980s. 

Biology and Behaviour

Dwarf false sharks have a soft body with a broad, bell-shaped head and a broad parabolic snout and a large angular mouth. Each jaw has about 110-120 tooth rows. They are dusky coloured, but their fins and snout slightly darker. 

Reproduction and Lifespan

There is little known about dwarf false sharks. The smallest known dwarf false catshark was 39 cm, while the largest caught was an immature female at 53 cm long and weighed 560 g.

Conservation and Tourism

The IUCN lists dwarf false catsharks as least concern since they occur in very deep waters that is outside the range of fishing operations and there are no other known threats to this species. Currently, there are no conservation methods in place for this species.

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