(Børsabergan - The Trondheim fjord / 38 meters / 9.21.2006)

Phylum: Chordata

Superclass: Gnathostomata

Class: Elasmobranchii

Order: Squaliformes

Family: Dalatiidae

Scientific name: Etmopterus spinax

 

Norwegian: svarthå

Distribution: The velvet belly lantern shark is common in the eastern parts of the Atlantic ocean. Along the coast of Norway, we only lack reports from the eastern parts of Finnmark. It is most frequent on a depth range from 200 to 900 meters, but is not an unusual encounter if you dive below 25-30 meters, on dark winter evenings. It seems to prefer gravel, sand or muddy substrate.

Characteristics: This is the smallest shark in Norwegian waters, not exceeding a body length of 60 cm. The dorsal side is dark grey or black with a violet tint. On the light grey belly there are a set of light producing organs (photophores) helping the shark to see in deep waters, where no daylight can reach. The nose is long and rounded. As most dogfish sharks (Squaliformes) it has two dorsal fins, each with a distinct spine on the leading edge. All dogfish sharks lack an anal fin.

All pictures: