Short-tail Lanternshark

About the Short-tail Lanternshark

The short-tail lanternshark is a species of dogfish shark found around Western and Northern Australia, Japan, and Philippines. 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 presumably viviparous. With litter sizes ranging from 5 to 13 young. Pups are born about 12 cm long, become mature at 33-40 cm , and grow to a maximum length of 50 cm.

Short-tail lanternsharks have been recorded at depths of 450 to 900 m.

There is not enough confirmation to assess their population health. Their conservation status is “Data Deficient.”

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