The Splendid lanternshark (Etmopterus splendidus) is a shark belonging to the family Etmopteridae found in the northwestern Pacific Ocean around 690 feet. Not much is known about this shark.
Family: Etmopteridae – Lantern Sharks
Genus: Etmopterus
Species: splendidus
Phylum– Chordata
Class– Chondrichthyles
Subclass– Elasmobranchii
Common Name– Dogfish Sharks
Family– Etmopteridae
Common Name– Lantern Sharks
Genus– Etmopterus
Species– splendidus
Status: IUCN Red List DATA DEFICIENT
Average Size and Length: Immature females have been recorded at 25 cm/ 10 inches long.
Head: It has very large eyes closer to the tip of the snout than the first gill slit.
Demographic, Distribution, Habitat, Environment and Range: The Splendid lanternshark can be found in the northwest Pacific Ocean in Japan and Taiwan and possibly Java and Indonesia. They can be found on the continental slope around 690 feet. There are unofficial reports of this shark as deep as 2,395 feet and as shallow as 394 feet.
Diet: Research suggest they feed on squid.
Aesthetic Identification: The Splendid lanternshark is dwarf in size and has a spindle shaped body. The dorsal surface is dark purple black, and the ventral surface is dark bluish-black when they are alive and brownish-black when preserved. The precaudal fins have pale, reddish-brown webs. There aren’t any visible dark bands on the caudal fin, but there is a lighter patch between the dark base and the terminal lobe of the caudal fin and an oval dark mark near the base of the caudal fin. There are two grooved, dorsal spines. There is no anal fin. This shark is commonly mistaken for other sharks in its family.
Biology and Reproduction: Unknown but presumably ovoviviparous.
Behavioral Traits, Sensing and Intelligence: Unknown.
Splendid Lanternshark Future and Conservation: Not enough data to evaluate.
Splendid Lanternshark Recorded Attacks on Humans: Not a threat to humans.