The Lowfin Gulper shark (Centrophorus lusitanicus) is a deepwater shark belonging to the family Centrophoridae. Greyish in color and somewhat smooth to the touch, this shark is considered vulnerable in its range.
Family: Centrophoridae – Gulper Sharks
Genus: Centrophorus
Species: lusitanicus
Phylum– Chordata
Class– Chondrichthyles
Subclass– Elasmobranchii
Common Name– Dogfish Sharks
Family– Centrophoridae
Common Name– Gulpher Sharks
Genus– Centrophorus
Species– lusitanicus
Status: IUCN Red List VULNERABLE
Average Size and Length: The Lowfin Gulper shark is born between 1.1-1.2 feet. Mature males are around 2.5 feet and mature females 2.8 feet. The maximum recorded has been 3.3 feet.
Teeth and Jaw: The teeth are different in both jaws. The bottoms are broad and flat and much larger than the top teeth, which come to a point.
Head: The snout of the Lowfin Gulper shark is long and flat.
Denticles: The skin of the Lowfin Gulper shark is smooth. The dermal denticles are wide-spaced and do not overlap. They are block-shaped.
Tail: There is a shallow notch in the postventral caudal fin margins of the adults. The lower lobe is somewhat long.
Demographic, Distribution, Habitat, Environment and Range: The Lowfin Gulper shark is found in the Eastern Atlantic off Portugal to Cameroon, and West Africa, the Indian Ocean around Mozambique and Madagascar, and the West Pacific by Taiwan. They are not found in the Mediterranean. They are bathydemersal and can be found on the outer continental shelves and upper slopes between 984-4,593 feet, however they typically stay between 984-1,970 feet. Deep-water; 43°N – 38°S, 18°W – 124°E.
Diet: They more than likely feed on small fish, cephalopods and even on small sharks.
Aesthetic Identification: The Lowfin Gulper shark is grey to grey-brown dorsally and slightly lighter ventrally. The fin webs are dusky. The rear pectoral fin tips are narrow, angular and elongated. The first dorsal fin is very long and high. The second dorsal fin is one-third as long as the first, but just as high or higher. There is no anal fin.
Biology and Reproduction: The Lowfin Gulper shark is ovoviviparous. They have one pup per litter.
Behavioral Traits, Sensing and Intelligence: Unknown.
Lowfin Gulper Shark Future and Conservation: They are fished in the east Atlantic off of Taiwan for its meat.
Lowfin Gulper Shark Recorded Attacks on Humans: Not a threat to humans.