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Longnose Sawtail Catshark

Galeus longirostris

  • Sharks and rays
  • IUCN: Least concern
  • Usual depth440–480 m
  • Water temperature23–25 °C
  • How commonRare
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About this species

The longnose sawtail catshark is a little-known species of deepwater catshark, belonging to the family Pentanchidae, found off the northwestern Pacific islands of Amami Ōshima, Ogasawara, and Izu at depths of 350–550 m (1,150–1,800 ft). Reaching a length of 80 cm (31 in), it is characterized by a long flattened snout, a long space between the pelvic and anal fins, and a crest of enlarged dermal denticles along the dorsal caudal fin edge. Adults are plain dark gray above, while juveniles have a few faint dark saddles on the back and tail.

Text from the Wikipedia article “Longnose sawtail catshark”, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the article

Where and when

Where it has been recorded

Worldwide

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Depth and water temperature

Depth

Mostly recorded at 440–480 m · Deepest record: 480 m

  • 440–450 m: 3 records
  • 450–460 m: 0 records
  • 460–470 m: 0 records
  • 470–480 m: 0 records
  • 480–490 m: 1 records

Water temperature

Recorded in surface water of 23–25 °C

  • 22–24 °C: 2 records
  • 24–26 °C: 3 records

Names and classification

English
Longnose Sawtail Catshark
Names in 2 more languages
German
Langnasen-Sägeschwanz-Katzenhai
Japanese
Hashinaga-yamorizame, Hashinagayamorizame, ハシナガヤモリザメ

Similar species

Sources and credits

Names and taxonomy: WoRMS (CC BY 4.0) and the GBIF Backbone (CC BY 4.0). Photos: iNaturalist observers, each under the licence shown (CC0, CC BY or CC BY-SA).

  • Depth, temperature, months and maps: records from OBIS and GBIF under CC0 or CC BY.
  • Descriptions: Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA, each linked to its article.
  • Conservation status as published by GBIF (IUCN Red List).
  • Species data updated November 2, 2026.

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