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Hydrolagus africanus (Gilchrist, 1922) African chimaera |
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photo by
Le Noury, P. |
| Family: | Chimaeridae (Shortnose chimaeras or ratfishes) | |||
| Max. size: | 67 cm TL (male/unsexed) | |||
| Environment: | bathydemersal; marine; depth range 421 - 750 m | |||
| Distribution: | Western Indian Ocean: off Kenya, Mozambique and Natal, South Africa. | |||
| Diagnosis: | Dorsal spines (total): 1-1; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 0-0. A shortnose chimaera with the dorsal fin spine longer than the head; 2nd dorsal fin with distinct concavity in the middle (Ref. 5578). | |||
| Biology: | Feeds on ophiuroids (Ref. 27637). Oviparous (Ref. 205). Eggs are encased in horny shells (Ref. 205). | |||
| IUCN Red List Status: | Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 02 September 2019 Ref. (130435) | |||
| Threat to humans: | venomous | |||