Relatively slender body. Moderately long snout, bell-shaped and broad. Broad nostrils. Relatively small eyes (about 2.5 % of total body length). Mouth directly under the eyes. Labial furrows present. First dorsal fin about the same size as second one. Origin of first dorsal fin slightly in front of the midbases of the pelvic fins. Origin of second dorsal fin in front of anal fin"s insertion. Very soft, flabby body with a weak skin.
Coloration
Dark brown with conspicuous light posterior margins on fins.
Distribution
Eastern Pacific: British Columbia to northern Baja California, Mexico and probably south to Panama, Ecuador and Peru.
Biology
Common, bottom-oriented species that lives in deepwater down to a depths of 950 m, from the outer continental shelf and upper slope.
Diet
Feeds primarily on shrimps and small fishes.
Size
Maximum size about 68 cm, average size between 40 and 60 m.
Reproduction
Oviparous (egg laying). Females lay one egg per oviduct at the time. Egg cases are very small measuring approximately 5 cm in length and 2.5 cm in width. Period of incubation is approximately 1 year.
Similar Species
Other species of the same genus have a similar appearance and taxonomic features have to be used to clearly distinguish.
Vulnerability
Category:Data Deficient (DD) Criteria: - Last evaluated:2015 Trend: