The Blackfin Gulper shark (Centrophorus isodon) is a dogfish belonging to the family Centrophoridae in the Indian Ocean and the west Pacific Ocean. Very little is known about this shark and its conservation efforts.
Family: Centrophoridae – Gulper Sharks
Genus: Centrophorus
Species: isodon
Phylum– Chordata
Class– Chondrichthyles
Subclass– Elasmobranchii
Common Name– Dogfish Sharks
Family– Centrophoridae
Common Name– Gulpher Sharks
Genus– Centrophorus
Species– isodon
Status: IUCN Red List DATA DEFICIENT
Average Size and Length: Adult males are anywhere from 2.5-2.8 feet long. Adult females range from 2.6-3.1 feet long. There has been a report of a male 3.5 feet in length, but unconfirmed.
Head: The Snout of the Blackfin Gulper shark is long and flat.
Denticles: The skin of the Blackfin Gulper shark is smoother. The dermal denticles are block shaped. They do not overlap and they are wide-spread.
Tail: There is a shallow notch in the postventral caudal fin margin of the adults. The lower lobe is somewhat longer.
Demographic, Distribution, Habitat, Environment and Range: There are scattered records of the Blackfin Gulper shark in the Indian Ocean and in the west Pacific Ocean. It is thought that they may be more wide-ranging. They are bathydemersal and can be found over the upper continental slopes between 2,493-2,526 feet. They prefer tropical waters.
Diet: The diet of the Blackfin Gulper shark is poorly known, but stomachs examined contained fishes and cephalopods.
Aesthetic Identification: The Blackfin Gulper shark is blackish-grey above and much lighter ventrally. The fin webs are blackish in color. The rear tips of the pectoral fins are narrowly angular and elongated. The first dorsal fin is short and high. The second dorsal fin is lower with the spine base over the pelvic fin inner margins.
Biology and Reproduction: The Blackfin Gulper shark is presumably ovoviviparous. They give birth to litters of 2 pups after an unknown gestation period. There is no apparent reproductive synchronicity. Largest embryo recorded was 1.1 feet.
Behavioral Traits, Sensing and Intelligence: Unknown.
Blackfin Gulper Shark Future and Conservation: There is not enough data to evaluate the Blackfin Gulper shark. They are caught by demersal fisheries operating in deepwater areas. They are utilized for its meat, fins, and liver oil.
Blackfin Gulper Shark Recorded Attacks on Humans: Not a threat to humans.