Roughskin dogfish facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Roughskin dogfish |
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| Drawing by Dr Tony Ayling | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Centroscymnus
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| Species: |
owstonii
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| Range of the roughskin dogfish (in blue) | |
| Synonyms | |
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Centroscymnus cryptacanthus Regan, 1906 |
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The roughskin dogfish (Centroscymnus owstonii) is a type of sleeper shark. It lives in deep ocean waters around the world. You can find it in warm and mild seas. These sharks live between 100 and 1,500 meters deep. They can grow up to 121 centimeters long.
Where Roughskin Dogfish Live
This shark lives in deep parts of the Indian Ocean (both west and east). It is also found in the south-central Atlantic Ocean. You can also spot it in the South Pacific Ocean, near Tasmania. These sharks are part of the amazing groups of animals that live deep in the sea.
What Roughskin Dogfish Eat
The roughskin dogfish is a top predator in its deep-sea home. This means it hunts other animals for food. Its main food is other fish. It also eats smaller amounts of crustaceans, like crabs. Sometimes, it eats squid and salps (small, jelly-like sea creatures).
Some of the fish it eats include hoki. It also preys on types of sea bream. Other meals include slender tuna and a kind of rattail fish. This shark helps keep the deep-sea food web balanced.
Protecting This Shark
The New Zealand Department of Conservation checks on the roughskin dogfish. They have said it is "Not Threatened." This means it is not currently in danger of disappearing. It's good news that this unique shark is doing well in its ocean home.
