Oxynotus(Oxynotidae)
Average Size Range – 1 to 5ft
Most species of Rough Shark contain a photophore (a glandular organ that appears as luminous spots.) They have long flat bodies with two large dorsal fins, a sharp spine and rough prickly skin. They range from greyish to dark brown.
They can be found in the deep waters of the Atlantic and Western Pacific Oceans around 1000-2300ft.
Their diet is not well documented, but it is believed they eat sea worms and small bottom dwelling invertebrates.
Little is known about this family of sharks, but it is known that they are quite slow swimmers and they pose little to no threat to humans.
There are five known living species of Rough Shark:
- Oxynotus bruniensis (Prickly Dogfish)
- Oxynotus caribbaeus (Caribbean Roughshark)
- Oxynotus centrina (Angular Roughshark)
- Oxynotus japonicus (Japanese Roughshark)
- Oxynotus paradoxus (Sailfin Roughshark)
There isn’t much concern over the vulnerability of any species within this family of sharks.
