Catshark found from the USA to Mexico

The Longnose catshark (Apristurus kampae) is a Shark belonging to the family Scyliorhinidae. They are found in the northeast Pacific from the USA to Mexico. They are found in deep water. Not much is known about this shark, but they are oviparous.


Family: Scyliorhinidae – Catsharks

Genus: Apristurus 

Species: kampae


Phylum– Chordata

Class– Chondrichthyles


Common NameGround Sharks

Family– Scyliorhinidae

Common NameCatsharks




Average Size and Length: Hatchlings have been recorded at 14 cm/5.5 inches. Mature males have been recorded at 50 cm/1.6 feet. Mature females have been recorded between 48-52 cm/1.6-1.7 feet. The maximum is at least 57 cm/1.9 feet.

Teeth and Jaw: The mouth is long and arched. The labial furrows are very long. The uppers reach the upper symphysis and the lowers are about just as long as the uppers. The teeth are sharp, and burr-like in appearance.

Head: The head is broad and flattened with an elongated snout. The nostrils are large and narrow. The mouth extends well anterior to the eyes. The eyes are cat-like in appearance.

Tail: The caudal fin is elongated.

Demographic, Distribution, Habitat, Environment and Range: The Longnose catshark can be found in the Northeast Pacific in the USA and Mexico. They have been recorded from Oregon to the Gulf of California. They are nominal from the Galapagos Islands. They can be found on the outer continental shelves and upper slope in deep water between 591-6,194 feet. They are considered bathydemersal.

Diet: They feed on deepwater shrimp, cephalopods and oceanic bony fish.

Aesthetic Identification: The Longnose catshark is blackish or dark brown to grey all over the body and fins. The precaudal fins have light edges or a nearly uniform coloration. The gill slits are very wide, they are larger than the adult eye length. The dorsal fins are similar in size. The origin of the first dorsal fin is behind the pelvic fin insertions. The pectoral and pelvic fin bases are long. The anal fin is high and rounded. The length is about 2 times that of the height. It is separated from the tail fin by a small notch.

Biology and Reproduction: They are oviparous. They lay pairs of eggs, one per oviduct.

Behavioral Traits, Sensing and Intelligence: Unknown, but more than likely they are nocturnal.

Longnose Catshark Future and Conservation: They are not evaluated, however are caught as bycatch by deepwater trawls and sablefish traps. There may be another species closely within its same range.

Longnose Catshark Recorded Attacks on Humans: Not a threat to humans.