Fin's Fish Guide
The Cookiecutter shark (Isistius brasiliensis) is a saltwater fish of the family Dalatiidae that grows up to 42 cm.
Widespread in deep, open water of warm seas worldwide, with a nightly migration to shallower water.
Description
The cookiecutter shark is a small, cigar-shaped deep-sea shark of the family Dalatiidae reaching about 42 cm. The brown body has a dark 'collar' around the gills and a belly full of light organs that glow soft green; this counter-illumination makes it invisible from below except for the dark band, which may serve as a lure for larger predators. Its mouth has small upper teeth and large, interlocking, saw-like lower teeth. With them it latches onto a large animal - whale, dolphin, tuna or shark - and twists out a round, cookie-shaped plug of flesh. The species lives in deep, open water of warm seas worldwide and migrates hundreds of metres upward at night to hunt.
Frequently asked questions
How do you recognise the Cookiecutter shark?
The Cookiecutter shark has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern. Small, cigar-shaped deep-sea shark with a dark 'collar' and a luminous belly; cuts round bites out of large animals with its saw-like lower teeth.
Where does the Cookiecutter shark live?
The Cookiecutter shark lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around open water. Widespread in deep, open water of warm seas worldwide, with a nightly migration to shallower water.
How big does the Cookiecutter shark get?
The Cookiecutter shark grows to a maximum of about 42 cm.
Is the Cookiecutter shark dangerous to humans?
The Cookiecutter shark can bite, but is otherwise not dangerous to humans. A small but biting deep-sea shark with sharp, saw-like lower teeth; in practice virtually never a danger to people, but handle a caught animal carefully.
Is the Cookiecutter shark edible?
The Cookiecutter shark is not usually eaten.
More photos
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All data
Identification
Appearance
Habitat & distribution
Behaviour & biology
For anglers
Safety
Status & sources
Same genus Isistius
More from the family Dalatiidae
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Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Cookiecutter shark is one of 12,519 species in the app.