A rare marine cartilaginous fish endemic to the Bahamas archipelago, belonging to the Chimaera genus within the Holocephali class. This unique species represents a recently described (2010) chimaerid with distinctive morphological characteristics.
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Ecology & Habitat
Habitat
Deep marine environments around the Bahamas, typically found at depths between 200-800 meters in subtropical oceanic waters with rocky or sandy seafloors
Ecological Role
Plays a crucial role in deep-sea ecosystem balance as a predator, helping regulate populations of smaller marine organisms and serving as potential prey for larger marine predators
Morphology
- SKIN COAT Smooth, pale gray to bluish-gray skin with minimal scales, gelatinous texture
- LIMBS WINGS Broad pectoral fins with flexible cartilaginous support, single dorsal fin with a venomous spine
- HEAD SENSORY Large electroreceptive sensory organs (ampullae of Lorenzini) for detecting prey movements, prominent chimaera-typical elongated snout
- BODY STRUCTURE Elongated, soft-bodied cartilaginous fish with a distinctive ghost-like appearance, approximately 60-80 cm in total length
Data Source: TaxonHub Database
Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons
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