Home · Somniosidae · Ichihara's velvet dogfish
Ichihara's velvet dogfish (Zameus ichiharai) — Somniosidae

Ichihara's velvet dogfish

Zameus ichiharai
Family: Somniosidae

The Ichihara's velvet dogfish (Zameus ichiharai) is a fish of the family Somniosidae that grows up to 50 cm.

Length
50 cm
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

Ichihara's velvet dogfish is a deep-sea shark (Somniosidae) from cool, deep waters of the northwest Pacific, off East Asia. The species grows to about 50 cm and has a slender, dark brown-black body with a velvety skin of fine, densely set scales and large eyes. As a sluggish hunter of the deep water it feeds on small fish, squid and crustaceans. Through its deep way of life it is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Ichihara's velvet dogfish?

The Ichihara's velvet dogfish is mainly black.

Where does the Ichihara's velvet dogfish live?

The Ichihara's velvet dogfish is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Ichihara's velvet dogfish get?

The Ichihara's velvet dogfish grows to a maximum of about 50 cm.

Is the Ichihara's velvet dogfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Ichihara's velvet dogfish 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
Ichihara's fluweelhaai sourced
English name
Ichihara's velvet dogfish sourced
Scientific name
Zameus ichiharai
Family
Somniosidae

Appearance

Max length (cm)
50 sourced
Dominant colour
Black sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred

Habitat & distribution

Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
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

More from the family Somniosidae

Download Fin's Fish Guide

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

Get the beta →