Etmopterus sentosus Bass, D'Aubrey & Kistnasamy, 1976
Thorny lanternshark
Etmopterus sentosus
photo by FAO

Family:  Etmopteridae (Lantern sharks)
Max. size:  27 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  bathydemersal; marine; depth range 200 - 500 m
Distribution:  Western Indian Ocean: Kenya to South Africa, including Madagascar (Ref. 5578).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 2-2; Dorsal soft rays (total): 0-0; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 0-0. A slim lanternshark with 2 longitudinal rows of greatly enlarged, hooked denticles along the flanks; other denticles small, conical and not arranged in lines (Ref. 5578). Grayish black above, underside black with an elongated broad black mark above, in front of and behind the pelvic fins; other elongated black marks at base and along axis of caudal fin (Ref. 5578).
Biology:  Found on the upper slope, on or near the bottom (Ref. 5578). Length recorded is from an immature specimen; size of adults unknown (Ref. 247). Ovoviviparous (Ref. 205).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 24 April 2018 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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