Ghost shark, Elephant shark (Callorhinchus milii) fish species and information / pictures of Ghost shark, Elephant shark - Callorhinchus milii

Ghost shark, Elephant shark (Callorhinchus milii) fish species information

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Scientific Name
Callorhinchus milii

Common Name
Ghost shark, Elephant shark

Biology
Occurs on continental shelves to depths of at least 200 m. Migrates into large estuaries and inshore bays in the spring to breed. Feeds mainly on shellfish. Oviparous. Eggs are encased in horny shells. Flesh is of good eating quality. Males have a small, club-like protuberance on the head and also long copulation organs near the pelvic fins.

Classification

Classified By

Bory de Saint-Vincent, 1823

Class

Chimaeras (Holocephali)

Order

Chimaeras (Chimaeriformes)

Family

Plownose chimaeras (Callorhinchidae)

Distribution

Region

Southwest Pacific

Distribution

Southwest Pacific: southern Australia and New Zealand.

Range

33°S - 50°S

Environment

Climate

Subtropical

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

Unknown °C

Depth From - meters

0 m

Depth To - meters

227 m

Zone

demersal

Environment

Marine; demersal; oceanodromous ; depth range 0 - 227 m

Trophic Level

3.6 s.e. 0.29 Based on food items.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

True

Occurs in Brackish water

False

Occurs in Fresh Water

False

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

125 cm

Common Length

75.0 cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.7500 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: commercial

Vulnerability

High vulnerability (55 of 100)

Resilience

Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (K=0.06-0.26; tm=2-6; Fec=2)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Least Concern (LC)