Ghost Shark (Callorhinchus milii) lives in temperate waters across Southern hemisphere. It feeds on squid and crustaceans. Its conservation status is Least Concern.
Fascinating facts about the Ghost Shark
- The Australian ghostshark's genome measures just 910 megabases, making it the smallest known among cartilaginous fishes and roughly one-third the size of the human genome. This compact size is highlighted by the comparison that the human genome is about 3000 Mb. Because cartilaginous fish represent the oldest living group of jawed vertebrates, its genome provides a valuable reference for tracing vertebrate evolution.
- The ghostshark possesses three cone pigments for colour vision, the same number found in human eyes, giving it a comparable set of colour receptors. Its silvery body displays iridescent reflections and variable dark markings along the sides, a visual trait that benefits from this colour perception. As a cartilaginous fish in the subclass Holocephali, it shares this visual capability with few other marine species.
- A very sharp spine projects from the ghostshark's dorsal fin, a feature that has led many to believe it is venomous. Despite this reputation, documented cases of serious injury are absent, and no harmful effects have been reported from encounters with the spine. The spine's sharpness is noted in descriptions of the species' morphology, underscoring its potential to cause minor punctures rather than venom-induced damage.
- The Australian ghostshark sweeps its distinctive hoe-shaped snout along the seabed to uncover invertebrates and tiny fish. It does this on the soft bottom of coastal waters ranging from the surface down to 200 m, where it is found off southern Australia and New Zealand. Its elongated, torpedo-shaped body and widely spaced dorsal fins help it glide close to the substrate while probing for prey.
- Females lay their eggs on sandy or muddy flats in estuaries and bays during the spring-to-autumn migration, enclosing each embryo in a large yellowish capsule. After a few months the capsule partially opens, allowing seawater to circulate around the developing egg. Six to eight months later the juvenile hatches at about 12 cm long, ready to join the shallow-water population.
Sources
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At a glance
RangeSouthern hemisphere
HabitatTemperate waters
DietSquid and crustaceans
About the Ghost Shark
In the dimly lit depths, the ghost shark glides with an ethereal elegance, its elongated body undulating as it navigates the dark, mysterious waters with a slow, deliberate pace. The soft glow of its bioluminescent spots flickers like a lantern in the darkness, illuminating the seafloor as it searches for prey, its pointed snout twitching with an otherworldly sensitivity. As it moves, the ghost shark seems to embody the very essence of the ocean's twilight realm, a hauntingly beautiful creature that inhabits the shadows with a quiet, ghostly grace.
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