The Ghost shark, also known as Chimeras, are not actually sharks despite their name! The Ghost shark is a unique fish species closest related to sharks and rays, but little is known about them. They were recently discovered in 2002, and are deep dwelling creatures, living about 8,500 ft/2,600 m deep. Chimeras have a rather spooky appearance, giving them their name. Their large eyes and long snout give them a distinct look. Chimeras also have stitch-like lines that run along their head and body. These lines actually allow them to detect vibrations and movement in the water.
At-A-Glance
Scientific Name – Callorhinchus milii, C. Monstrosa
Size – 2 ft/0.6 m.
Habitat – Deep ocean floors.
Diet: Fish, squid, crustaceans, worms, mollusks, dead animals.
Reproduction – Oviparous: female shark lays eggs on seaweed or substrata which hold the developing embryos. Empty egg cases called mermaid purses can often be found on beaches, especially after storms.
IUCN Listing – Least concern.
Protection – Commercial catch of ghost sharks is allowed off the coast of southern Australia and New Zealand, but total allowable catch quotas have been put in place and have increased over time.
Bet You Didn’t Know…
- Ghost Sharks are commonly referred to as Chimeras, which comes from Greek mythology, meaning monsters made of different body parts. This makes sense as the Ghost shark has the nostrils of a mammal and pectoral fins that they use like bird’s wings.
- They exhibit deep sea gigantism (growing to a large size because of its habitat) which is a phenomenon in most deep sea creatures allowing them to be more efficient.
- Their large venomous spine protects them from potential attacks from above, since they mainly swim on the ocean floor.
- Ghost sharks are often bycatch, or caught unintentionally, in trawl fisheries. However, they are sometimes intentionally caught for their liver.
- They have several differences from sharks such as only having one gill on either side of their body, tooth plates to crush their food, and prefer near-freezing water.
Get to know the 3 groups of Chimeras, characterized by their distinct features:
Plow-nose chimera: known for their curved snout.
Short-nose chimera: known for their short rounded snout.
Long-nose chimera: known for their big eyes and long pointy nose.
Ready To Dive In?
- Since Ghost sharks are primarily deep sea dwellers, it is rare to have opportunities to dive with these creatures. Your best chance of seeing a Ghost Shark would be in the waters of southern Australia or New Zealand, using a submersible or underwater vehicle to reach their depths.
Science In The Spotlight
Ghost sharks may get their name from their appearance, but it turns out they also have a unique sixth sense that could be attributed to their deep sea life. Want to learn more?
After Bites Ghost Shark Quiz
Take the quiz and test your new found knowledge.
Written by Liel Shachr, University of Florida, B.S. Natural Resource Conservation and Shark Angels Intern