A rare deepwater cartilaginous fish species found in the Southern Caribbean Sea, belonging to the Rhinochimaeridae family of chimaeras (ratfish).
ADSENSE SLOT
Ecology & Habitat
Habitat
Deep marine environments, typically found at depths between 500-1,200 meters in tropical and subtropical Caribbean waters with soft substrate and low-light conditions.
Ecological Role
Plays a critical role in deep-sea ecosystem food webs as a mid-level predator, contributing to marine biodiversity and energy transfer in complex deep-ocean environments.
Morphology
SKIN COATSmooth, scaleless cartilaginous skin with a grayish-brown to dark brown coloration, providing camouflage in deep marine habitats
LIMBS WINGSPectoral fins broader and more developed compared to other chimaera species, enabling precise swimming in deep-water currents
HEAD SENSORYLarge electroreceptive organs (ampullae of Lorenzini) for detecting prey in dark deep-sea environments, prominent rostral tendrils for sensory perception
BODY STRUCTUREElongated, slender body with a distinctive sicklefin-shaped dorsal fin, total length approximately 60-80 cm, weight around 2-4 kg
Data Source: TaxonHub Database
Image Credit: Tambja
