The Saddled carpetshark (Cirrhoscyllium japonicum) is a Collared Carpetshark belonging to the family Parascylliidae found around Japan, between latitudes 35°N and 24°N. There are prominent saddle marks on this elongated shark. Not much is known about them, but there were egg cases found in one female.
Family: Parascylliidae – Collared Carpetsharks
Genus: Cirrhoscyllium
Species: japonicum
Phylum– Chordata
Class– Chondrichthyles
Common Name– Carpet Sharks
Family– Parascylliidae
Common Name– Collared Carpetsharks
Genus– Cirrhoscyllium
Species– japonicum
Status: IUCN Red List DATA DEFICIENT
Average Size and Length: Their length at birth is unknown. Mature males have been measured at 37 cm/ 1.2 feet. Mature females have been measured at 44 cm/ 1.4 feet. The maximum recorded has been 49 cm/ 1.6 feet.
Head: The snout is long. There are nasoral grooves. The mouth is in front of the eyes.
Demographic, Distribution, Habitat, Environment and Range: The Saddled carpetshark can be found in the northwest Pacific Ocean in southwest Japan in Shikoku, Kyushu, Yakushima Island to possibly Ryukyu Island. They are found on the uppermost slope between 820-951 feet. They are considered bathypelagic.
Aesthetic Identification: The Saddled carpetshark has 9 boldly-marked saddle marks on the sides of its body. One of them is C-shaped between the pectoral and pelvic fin bases. There are cartilage-cored paired barbels on the throat.
Biology and Reproduction: Their biology and reproduction are poorly known, but they are presumably oviparous. There were egg cases discovered in a 45 cm/ 1.5 feet female.
Behavioral Traits, Sensing and Intelligence: Unknown.
Saddled Carpetshark Future and Conservation: There is not enough data to evaluate.
Saddled Carpetshark Recorded Attacks on Humans: Not a threat to humans.