Home · Proscylliidae · African ribbontail catshark
African ribbontail catshark (Eridacnis sinuans) — Proscylliidae

African ribbontail catshark

Eridacnis sinuans
Family: Proscylliidae

The African ribbontail catshark (Eridacnis sinuans) is a saltwater fish of the family Proscylliidae that grows up to 30 cm.

Length
30 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
180.0–480.0 m
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The African ribbontail catshark is a small deeper catshark (Proscylliidae) from coastal waters of the western Indian Ocean, off East Africa. The species grows to about 30 cm and has a very slender, grey-brown body with a strikingly long, ribbon-like tail and cat-like eyes. As a bottom-dweller of deeper bottoms it hunts small fish, crustaceans and squid. This small shark is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the African ribbontail catshark?

The African ribbontail catshark has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly brown.

Where does the African ribbontail catshark live?

The African ribbontail catshark lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the African ribbontail catshark get?

The African ribbontail catshark grows to a maximum of about 30 cm.

Is the African ribbontail catshark dangerous to humans?

No, the African ribbontail catshark is harmless to humans.

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →

All data

Identification

Dutch name
Afrikaanse lintstaart-kathaai sourced
English name
African ribbontail catshark sourced
Scientific name
Eridacnis sinuans
Family
Proscylliidae
Other names
African ribbontail catshark verified

Appearance

Max length (cm)
30 sourced
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
180.0 verified
Max depth (m)
480.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Eridacnis

More from the family Proscylliidae

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →