The Pink lanternshark (Etmopterus dianthus) is a shark belonging to the family Etmopteridae found around Australia and New Caledonia. It has a bristle-like feel to the touch and pinkish in color.
Family: Etmopteridae – Lantern Sharks
Genus: Etmopterus
Species: dianthus
Phylum– Chordata
Class– Chondrichthyles
Subclass– Elasmobranchii
Common Name– Dogfish Sharks
Family– Etmopteridae
Common Name– Lantern Sharks
Genus– Etmopterus
Species– dianthus
Status: IUCN Red List LEAST CONCERN
Average Size and Length: Mature males are 1.1 feet or longer. The maximum length is at least 1.3 feet.
Denticles: There are fine bristle-like dermal denticles that aren’t arranged in rows.
Demographic, Distribution, Habitat, Environment and Range: The Pink lanternshark can be found in the southwest Pacific around Australia and New Caledonia. They are found on the bottom of the upper continental shelves between 2,297-2,887 feet.
Aesthetic Identification: The Pink lanternshark is stout in shape. It gets its name from its pink color dorsally when it is alive and fresh. After preservation it turns brownish grey. Ventrally, it is much darker dusky to black below. There are distinctive black markings behind the pelvic fins, on the caudal peduncle and the upper caudal fin. The upper caudal fin tip is dark. The first dorsal fin is small and low with a short spine. The second dorsal fin is less than twice the size of the first with a spine that is nearly as long as the fin tip.
Biology and Reproduction: Unknown, but presumably ovoviviparous.
Behavioral Traits, Sensing and Intelligence: Unknown.
Pink Lanternshark Future and Conservation: As of right now they are of least concern because their range is unfished.
Pink Lanternshark Recorded Attacks on Humans: Not a threat to humans.