Smalleye pygmy shark (Squaliolus aliae) fish species and information / pictures of Smalleye pygmy shark - Squaliolus aliae

Smalleye pygmy shark (Squaliolus aliae) fish species information

Scientific Name
Squaliolus aliae

Common Name
Smalleye pygmy shark

Biology
Possibly the smallest living shark (Ref. 6871). Found near continental and island land masses (Ref. 31367). Feeds mainly on cephalopods and small midwater bony fishes (Ref. 6871). Probably makes diurnal vertical migrations from within 200 m of the surface at night down to about 2,000 m during the day (Ref. 6871). Ovoviviparous (Ref. 6871).

Classification

Classified By

Teng, 1959

Class

Sharks and Rays (Elasmobranchii)

Order

Bramble, Sleeper and Dogfish sharks (Squaliformes)

Family

Sleeper sharks (Dalatiidae)

Distribution

Region

Western Pacific

Distribution

Western Pacific: Japan to Australia (off northwestern Australia and New South Wales).

Range

Unknown

Environment

Climate

Deep-water

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

Unknown °C

Depth From - meters

200 m

Depth To - meters

2000 m

Zone

bathyalpelagic

Environment

Marine; bathypelagic; depth range 200 - 2000 m (Ref. 6871)

Trophic Level

4.35 s.e. 0.57 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

22.0 cm

Common Length

Unknown cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.7510 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: of no interest

Vulnerability

Low vulnerability (11 of 100)

Resilience

Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (Fec assumed to be

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Least Concern (LC)